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Barstool Sports figurehead Dave Portnoy openly celebrated the defeat of mixed martial arts fighter Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314, following Mitchell’s widely condemned antisemitic statements. The controversial remarks and subsequent reaction have drawn significant attention within the UFC and MMA community.
Portnoy’s Ringside Reaction to Mitchell’s Defeat
The Barstool Sports founder witnessed the UFC Fight Night in Miami firsthand, sharing the venue with former President Donald Trump and his political associates. Portnoy had a prominent position to observe Jean Silva’s victory over Mitchell.
Silva, representing Brazil, swiftly dominated his American adversary, securing a submission victory in the second round of their match. The fight’s timing coincided with the first night of Passover.
Portnoy made his allegiance clear, showcasing an overt celebration of Silva’s triumph over Mitchell.
The businessman, aged 48, posted a video depicting himself waving an Israeli flag and wearing a yarmulke, as Silva celebrated his victory atop the octagon cage in the background.
‘Always fun to see a Hitler lover get his a** whooped,’ the Barstool founder posted on social media platform X, accompanying the video clip.
Dave Portnoy celebrated Bryce Mitchell’s UFC 314 defeat by waving an Israel flag.
Jean Silva defeated American MMA fighter Bryce Mitchell at UFC Fight Night.
Mitchell’s Antisemitic Rant Sparks Outrage
Portnoy’s celebratory actions stem from Mitchell’s earlier controversial declarations regarding Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust, made approximately three months prior. These remarks ignited considerable backlash and condemnation.
In January, Mitchell characterized Adolf Hitler as a ‘good person’ and denied the historical reality of the Holocaust during an episode of his show ‘Arkansanity.’ He also lauded the former Nazi leader’s supposed desire to ‘purify’ Germany by expelling ‘greedy Jews’.
‘I genuinely believe, based on my personal research, and not indoctrination from public education, that Hitler was a good guy,’ Mitchell stated.
‘Before Hitler became addicted to methamphetamines, he was someone I would go fishing with. He defended his nation. His aim was to purify Germany by expelling the avaricious Jewish population he believed were corrupting the country and turning people gay.’
‘They were feminizing children. They were emasculating women. They were emasculating men.’
When his co-host, Roli Delgado, countered that it was wrong ‘to confine an entire ethnic group in camps,’ Mitchell asserted that the Holocaust was a fabrication.
‘That’s the narrative promoted by your public education, Roli, because you unquestioningly accept public education and haven’t conducted your own investigation,’ he continued.
‘Once you realize the physical impossibility of incinerating and cremating six million bodies, you’ll understand the Holocaust is not real.’
Mitchell’s antisemitic tirade triggered widespread condemnation.
Mitchell described Adolf Hitler as a ‘good guy’ and denied the Holocaust in January.
Historical Context of Hitler’s Actions
Adolf Hitler orchestrated the systematic genocide of six million Jews across Europe between 1941 and 1945. This horrific period is unequivocally documented and recognized globally.
Despite his assertions minimizing Hitler’s culpability, Mitchell maintained, ‘I am not a Nazi,’ adding, ‘He (Hitler) was not perfect. I’m not a Nazi. I have no affinity for Nazis. I don’t desire a Nazi victory in the war. I am simply stating they faced dire circumstances when Hitler ascended to power.’
History overwhelmingly condemns the Nazi dictator as one of history’s most villainous figures, responsible for unparalleled barbarity against groups deemed undesirable under the Third Reich.
Approximately 85 million individuals perished in World War II, a devastating global conflict initiated by Hitler’s relentless ambition for a global empire.
Portnoy’s Stance on Israel
Portnoy, who is of Jewish heritage, has previously voiced public support for Israel’s ‘right to exist and defend itself,’ notably during the state’s defense against drone attacks from Iran in April of last year.
‘No nation endures constant attacks from adversaries and is simultaneously urged to exercise restraint in self-defense (despite military superiority) more than Israel,’ Portnoy stated in a prior social media post.
Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports chief, has publicly defended Israel.
Portnoy has emphasized his aspiration for a peaceful resolution in the region while concurrently defending Israel amidst widespread criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military actions in Gaza.
‘I seek peace for all innocent people in the Middle East,’ Portnoy wrote. ‘I also fully advocate for Israel’s right to exist and defend its sovereignty.’
Although born into a Jewish family in Swampscott, Massachusetts, Portnoy contends that his support for Israel is rooted in his conviction that the nation has a right to exist, rather than religious or ethnic affiliations.
Mitchell’s defeat by Silva occurred on the opening night of Passover. In the main event of UFC 314, Australian fighter Alexander Volkanovski is scheduled to compete against Brazil’s Diego Lopes for the featherweight championship title.