The UFC announced over the weekend that it has signed former Bellator champion Patchy Mix after he requested his release from the PFL.
Mix competes in the bantamweight division, which Georgian champion Merab Dvalishvili leads. Mix is set to make at UFC 316 on June 7 in New Jersey, where he will face veteran Mario Bautista.
Dvalishvili will defend his title against star Sean O’Malley on the same card.
A win for Mix will likely follow a call-out, during which he will demand a title shot and challenge the champion. However, it remains unclear whether a victory over Buastita is enough to merit the opportunity.
Mix is stepping in on short notice due to an injury sidelining Bautista’s original opponent, Marlon Vera, allowing the former Bellator champion to debut on a pay-per-view main card.
A significant win against Bautista would likely place Mix just one fight away from a title shot, and he seems to understand that his resume, combined with a strong debut, would secure a match against a top-five contender.
“I’m already a multi-time world champion,” Mix told MMA Junkie.
“I’m 20-1 with 16 finishes. I got more finishes and a better record than every single guy ranked right now. I’m already a multi-time world champion that’s beaten the who’s who in MMA. So, I plan to win this fight, and I expect to be at the top of the division. Whether it’s a title fight next, I don’t know, but I don’t mind what it is as long as it’s a step-up.”
A potential fight with Corey Sandhagen would be logical, essentially setting up the next contender for the title. The UFC might directly grant Sandhagen the upcoming title shot, leaving Mix exploring other options in the title picture.
Other possibilities might include Song Yadong, Petr Yan, or Umar Nurmagomedov, each of whom would pose incredibly tough challenges for Mix.
While the UFC’s bantamweight division is filled with highly skilled fighters, Mix possesses extensive experience competing against elite competition in MMA.
Mix has secured victories over UFC legend Sergio Pettis, Kyoji Horiguchi, and Magomed Magomedov, achieving three notable wins against top flyweight competitors in Bellator. He became the bantamweight champion and successfully defended his title twice, with his latest defense occurring in May 2024.
His signing with the UFC is one of the biggest free agent acquisitions the company has made in a while, considering he is on a seven-fight win streak and is coming into the promotion at the prime age of 31.
Mix is known for being able to finish the fight anywhere it takes place, whether on the ground or standing, showcasing one of the most well-rounded games in MMA.
Although he isn’t seizing the immediate title opportunity, he could follow the route of another former Bellator fighter to enter the UFC: Michael Chandler.
With a vicious knockout of Dan Hooker, Chandler secured an interim title fight right after making a statement on his debut.
If Mix can get Bautista out in a hurry and get an intense call-out, he could be on the fast track to UFC stardom and have a chance at gold soon.
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