On the first night of Passover, Dave Portnoy celebrated as Holocaust denier Bryce Mitchell was choked unconscious at UFC 314. Credit: Dave Portnoy on X
By Sam Neumann on

Dave Portnoy celebrated the first night of Passover in grand style.

The Barstool Sports CEO and founder attended the UFC 314 pay-per-view at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. So did President Donald Trump, whom Portnoy lauded for his recent legislation regarding water pressure and later invited to appear on his Davey Day Trader stream.

And during Saturday’s UFC 314 event, Portnoy, who is Jewish, had a front-row seat for Jean Silva’s victory over Bryce Mitchell.

It was Mitchell’s first fight since he made headlines for praising Adolf Hitler. He was choked unconscious in the bout.

Portnoy couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

Earlier this year, Mitchell claimed Hitler was a “good guy based on my own research.” He denied the Holocaust by saying, “There’s no possible way they could’ve burned and cremated 6 million bodies; you’re going to realize the Holocaust ain’t real.”

UFC President Dana White strongly condemned Mitchell’s offensive remarks, which included praising Hitler and making antisemitic and homophobic comments. However, White chose not to impose any punishment on the fighter.

That seemed to happen in the ring instead.

And that explains why Portnoy, who ditched his Barstool Sports hat for the moment, was jumping for joy, waving an Israeli flag with a yarmulke pinned to his head.

While Portnoy isn’t devoutly religious, he hasn’t hesitated to use his platform to call out antisemitism when he sees fit. He previously blasted Kanye West as “one of the worst humans of all time” after the rapper praised Hitler, labeled himself a “Nazi,” and sold shirts featuring a swastika on his website, some of which were even advertised during the Super Bowl.

He’s also been vocal in his support for Israel.

Exactly one year ago, Portnoy posted on X (formerly Twitter), voicing his backing for the country’s right to exist and defend itself.

While others broke matzah, Portnoy broke out an Israeli flag and watched Mitchell tap out.

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann