UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has stated that his controversial remarks about Adolf Hitler, specifically his hypothetical wish to go “fishing with Hitler,” have led to him being excluded from attending the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. Mitchell shared this information during an interview with Sneako on X, attributing his inability to attend to the backlash from his prior comments.
Mitchell’s Past Statements and UFC’s Reaction
The controversy originated in January 2025 on Mitchell’s podcast, ArkanSanity. During this episode, Mitchell controversially suggested that Hitler was “a good guy based upon my own research, not my public education indoctrination” and that “before Hitler got on meth, he was a guy to go fishing with.” He also expressed doubts about the Holocaust, questioning the feasibility of cremating 6 million bodies.
UFC President Dana White strongly condemned Mitchell’s statements, calling them “dumb, ignorant” and confirming that the UFC had communicated their “absolute disgust.” Despite the severe criticism, White assured that Mitchell would not face disciplinary action, citing freedom of speech. Mitchell subsequently issued an apology on Instagram, expressing regret if his comments came across as insensitive and acknowledging the Holocaust and Hitler’s atrocities.
Exclusion from White House Event and Other Fighters
Mitchell’s current statements indicate that these past comments are now directly impacting his access to the UFC Freedom 250 event, scheduled for June 14, 2026. The event, intended to celebrate Donald Trump’s birthday and America’s 250th anniversary on the White House South Lawn, will feature major title fights.
Mitchell is not the only fighter facing exclusion. Middleweight champion Sean Strickland also mentioned being banned, citing his criticisms of Israel and his comments about Jeffrey Epstein. Mitchell expressed solidarity with Strickland, arguing for the right to criticize any nation, including foreign ones.
In his interview, Mitchell criticized what he perceived as wealthy elites taking his words out of context to portray him negatively, emphasizing his identity as an American farmer who contributes to feeding the nation. He also questioned the event’s premise, suggesting that government should focus on protection rather than entertainment.
Despite being barred, Mitchell expressed a desire to still compete on the White House card.
This upcoming Saturday, Mitchell is scheduled to face Santiago Luna at UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim in Las Vegas. Mitchell is currently ranked 13th in the featherweight division and often highlights his rural Arkansas farming background.
The UFC Freedom 250 event is expected to host thousands of attendees on the South Lawn, with additional large-screen viewing opportunities available. Mitchell’s exclusion underscores the ongoing friction between the UFC’s political affiliations and fighters who diverge from the organization’s stance.
SEO Title:
<title>Bryce Mitchell Barred from White House UFC Event Due to "Fishing With Hitler" Remarks</title>
SEO Description:
<meta name="description" content="UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell reveals his controversial "fishing with Hitler" comments have led to him being excluded from attending the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. Learn more about the remarks and the UFC's response." />
English Translation:
Bryce Mitchell: “Fishing With Hitler” Comment Means I’m Not Getting Into White House UFC Show
Bryce Mitchell is scheduled to fight this Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. The Arkansas featherweight stated that he will not be attending the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. Mitchell informed interviewer Sneako on X that he has been denied entry due to past comments made about Adolf Hitler. “I’m definitely not going to be able to go because, you know, I said I’d go fishing with Hitler,” Mitchell commented.
Bryce Mitchell Says “Fishing With Hitler” Comment Will Keep Him From UFC White House Freedom 250 Event
The controversy began in late January 2025 during Mitchell’s debut podcast episode, ArkanSanity. On the show, Mitchell claimed Hitler was “a good guy based upon my own research, not my public education indoctrination.” He further added, “I really do think before Hitler got on meth, he was a guy to go fishing with.” Mitchell also questioned the occurrence of the Holocaust, stating there was “no conceivable way they could have cremated 6 million bodies.”
UFC president Dana White immediately condemned the remarks. White described Mitchell’s comments as “dumb, ignorant” and confirmed that the UFC had contacted him to express “absolute disgust.” Despite the backlash, White assured that Mitchell would face no disciplinary action, citing free speech protections. Mitchell issued an apology on Instagram two days later, writing, “I apologize if I came across as insensitive. I certainly did not intend to offend anyone, but I realize I did.” He acknowledged that “many people lost their lives in the Holocaust” and that “Hitler did a lot of wicked things.”
Now, Mitchell says those comments are preventing him from accessing the White House event. UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled for June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn to commemorate Donald Trump’s birthday and America’s 250th anniversary. The fight card includes title bouts between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title, and Alex Pereira versus Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.
Mitchell is not the only fighter who is barred from attending. Middleweight champion Sean Strickland stated he was banned because he “made fun of Israel and Epstein.” Strickland had criticized Israel’s ongoing war in the Middle East. At UFC Vegas 118 media day, Mitchell commented on Strickland’s situation: “I’m not surprised at all. We ought to be able to criticize our own nation, let alone a foreign nation. [Israel] is the only nation you’re not allowed to criticize,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell drew a clearer line in his Sneako interview, criticizing wealthy elites. “They took one thing I said out of context and then told the world that I’m the evil guy,” he stated. “I’m an American farmer, I help feed people in this country. You have these billionaires telling me that I’m not an American. They’re cowards, and they’re the ones that aren’t American.”
Mitchell also questioned the event itself, saying, “the government is supposed to protect us, not entertain us.” Despite being barred, he told reporters that he still wants to fight on the White House card. “I do want to be on the card. I do,” Mitchell said at media day.
This Saturday, Mitchell faces undefeated Santiago Luna at UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Luna stepped in after Victor Henry withdrew from the bout. Mitchell is ranked 13th in the featherweight division. The farming background he mentions is factual: Mitchell grew up on a rural Arkansas farm and frequently references his agricultural roots in interviews.
The White House event will host approximately 4,000 attendees on the South Lawn, with 85,000 free tickets available for big-screen viewing at nearby Ellipse Park. Mitchell’s exclusion highlights the ongoing tensions between the UFC’s political alignments and fighters who push back against the organization’s direction.