Bryce Mitchell (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following the withdrawal of Giga Chikadze from UFC 296, Bryce Mitchell has reportedly agreed to step up on short notice and fight Josh Emmett.

Chikadze was scheduled to fight Emmett at the December 16th card; however, recently he was sidelined with a groin injury.

More recently, the promotion reportedly announced that Mitchell will battle Emmett at the upcoming event.

The 29-year-old Mitchell (16-1) is coming off a decision win over Dan Ige in September, after being submitted by top, featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria last December.

The 38-year-old Emmett (18-4) is coming off a decision loss to the aforementioned Topuria in June, which followed a submission loss to Yair Rodriguez in February.

Currently, Mitchell is ranked #10 in the UFC’s featherweight division and Emmett is #8.

UFC 296 is taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will feature welterweight champion Leon Edwards versus Colby Covington in the main event.