The wait is over — UFC’s pay-per-view schedule is finally back in action, and it’s returning with a bang. After nearly a month-long hiatus, UFC 314 is set to light up Miami with what many are calling the most stacked card of 2025 so far. The promotion rolls into the Kaseya Center for its fourth trip to the Magic City, and this time, it’s bringing a night that could reshape the landscape of several divisions. Headlining the event, Diego Lopes looks to complete his rapid rise by taking on the former champ Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant featherweight strap.

But the featherweight chaos doesn’t stop there. Another 145lbs matchup is catching fire — one that’s arguably drawing just as much attention. Bryce Mitchell, a devout Christian and one of the UFC’s most polarizing figures, is set to clash with Jean Silva, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum who’s been turning heads since his debut. And before they even lock horns in the cage, things have already gotten weird. In a bizarre twist, ‘Thug Nasty’ had claimed that ‘Lord’ sent “legions of demons” after him — yes, actual demons — and says they’re now haunting his dreams!

It’s just the latest headline from a fighter who’s stirred controversy all year, from calling Adolf Hitler a “good guy” and being a well-known flat-earther. Love him or hate him, Bryce Mitchell is always in the news. With UFC 314 approaching, fans and fighters alike are weighing in — including Israel Adesanya, who shared his thoughts about this high-voltage main card bout in a recent YouTube video. And while he admitted the matchup could go either way, he’s leaning toward the vet.

“I’m gonna go, Bryce. I’m gonna go Bryce because of the experience. But look — I wouldn’t be surprised if Jon goes in there and just f—ing does work. Because Bryce is a good striker, but sometimes when he’s striking, he can’t manage the distance properly. He starts to shoot from a range that isn’t really gonna get the most success. And yeah, even from that little clip, I love the way Jean manages his stance — he was able to just dial it in. Still, I’m gonna go Bryce, because he’s been in there with some of the best of the best. Even though he’s taken losses, it’s the experience. And Bryce is no joke, man.”

Bryce Mitchell made a strong impression early in his UFC career, rattling off six straight wins before suffering his first loss to Ilia Topuria. He bounced back with a solid win over Dan Ige but stumbled again against Josh Emmett, falling to the veteran’s heavy hands. That leaves him at 2-2 in his last four outings.

In contrast, Jean Silva remains undefeated in the UFC, boasting four consecutive victories. While he’s yet to face the level of competition that the American has, it’s that very experience—battling elite names like Ilia Topuria and Josh Emmett—that led Israel Adesanya to side with Bryce Mitchell. But the Brazilian sees things differently and believes he has what it takes to shake things up. Let’s dive into what he had to say.

Jean Silva’s bold prediction for Bryce Mitchell ahead of UFC 314

While many UFC 314 matchups carry the usual mix of professional rivalry and promotional hype, the featherweight clash between Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva stands in a league of its own — this one is fueled by genuine animosity. From the moment the bout was announced, the tension between the two has escalated far beyond standard pre-fight banter, turning into outright hostility.

Bryce Mitchell hasn’t minced words in the lead-up. He recently claimed that when he steps into the Octagon on April 12, he won’t be facing a regular opponent — but “a man possessed by a legion of demons.” According to him, ‘Lord’s dark aura has even started haunting his sleep. It’s a bizarre claim, but one that’s only stoked the fire between the two even more. Naturally, Silva wasn’t going to let that slide. He fired back with a brutal counter, pointing to ‘Thug Nasty’s past — specifically his knockout loss to Josh Emmett at UFC 296— and questioning whether Mitchell is still feeling the effects.

The Brazilian didn’t just predict a win; he warned that Bryce Mitchell might be walking into lasting damage. At the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference, Jean Silva issued a cold and calculated warning: “So the fight’s going to go, he’s going to try to take me down, I’m going to defend. I’m going to throw some shots at his head, might knock him out in the first, in the second. We’ll see, but maybe he’ll need to retire after this because he’s going to have some brain damage after this one.”

So what do you think — does Jean Silva back up the talk, or does Bryce Mitchell’s experience prove too much? Are you siding with Israel Adesanya’s pick, or rolling with the underdog? Let us know your take below!