UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has sparked outrage after making inflammatory comments praising Adolf Hitler and denying the Holocaust with Israeli MMA star Natan Levy calling him out.
The 30-year-old featherweight claimed the former Nazi leader was a 'good guy' whilst making anti-Semitic remarks during a recent appearance.
Mitchell commended Hitler for attempting to 'purify' Germany from what he described as 'greedy Jews' who were 'destroying his country and turning them all into gays.'
Mitchell, who has competed in the UFC for seven years after winning 'The Ultimate Fighter' reality series in 2018, faced immediate backlash from fellow fighters and officials.
Natan Levy called Bryce Mitchell out over his Hitler comments
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His remarks were particularly controversial given Hitler's responsibility for the systematic killing of six million Jews across Europe between 1941 and 1945.
UFC president Dana White delivered a scathing response at a Power Slap press conference, calling Mitchell's comments 'dumb and ignorant'.
"I've heard a lot of dumb and ignorant s*** said over the years, but this is probably the worst," White stated.
The UFC president emphasised Hitler's devastating impact on history.
"First of all, when you talk about Hitler, he was responsible for the death of six million Jews and it was his intent to completely eliminate the Jewish people. And that's a guy you would want to go fishing with?" White said.
He continued: "Hitler is one of the most disgusting and evil human beings to ever walk the Earth, and anyone that even tries to take an opposing position is a moron."
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White highlighted the devastating toll of World War Two, citing 15 million military deaths and 45 million civilian casualties.
Israeli UFC fighter Levy issued a direct challenge to Mitchell, daring him to repeat his anti-Semitic remarks face-to-face.
Taking to social media platform X, Levy criticised Mitchell's controversial statements.
"Crazy how a guy blessed by God with so much success and opportunity chooses to pay it forward by spreading hate and division every time he gets a mic," the French-born Israeli wrote.
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UFC president Dana White also hit out at Bryce Mitchell over his comments
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Levy offered Mitchell two options for their next encounter.
"Next time you see me, you're welcome to have a real conversation and actually learn about Judaism our history and culture, firsthand," he stated.
He added pointedly: "Or, if you'd rather, you can call me a greedy Jew to my face, and we'll see what's up."
Despite the controversy, Mitchell attempted to distance himself from Nazi ideology.
"I'm not a Nazi. I don't love Nazi. I don't want Nazis to win the war," he insisted.
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He added: "He (Hitler) ain't perfect... I'm just saying they were in a bad spot when Hitler come to power."
While Dana White defended Mitchell's right to free speech, he emphasised the need for education.
"We reached out to Bryce immediately when we read what he said, and let him know exactly how we felt about it," White said.
The UFC president added: "But what he said was beyond disgusting and he needs a real education on the facts surrounding Hitler and World War Two."
White also criticised social media's role in the controversy, stating: "That's the problem with the internet and social media. You provide a platform to a lot of dumb and ignorant people."
