Bellator champ finds new home after poor UFC run
Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix has been released from the UFC roster.
Sources close to the situation confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Wednesday after Mix was announced for a fight in RIZIN on March 7. For his next matchup, Mix moves to 145 pounds where he’s scheduled to face Kyoma Akimoto on the Tokyo card.
Ranked as one of the top bantamweights in the world throughout his run with Bellator, Mix scored numerous impressive wins including victories over Kyoji Horiguchi, Magomed Magomedov, Raufeon Stots and Sergio Pettis.
After Bellator sold to the PFL, Mix returned for one last fight with the promotion when he earned a razor-close split decision win over Magomedov in their rematch, but then came to an impasse over his contract and inactivity.
Mix parted ways with the PFL in May 2025 and just days later signed with the UFC as a top free agent.
Unfortunately for Mix, his short time in the UFC didn’t go well as he dropped a lopsided decision to Mario Bautista in his debut and then suffered a second straight defeat against newcomer Jakub Wiklacz.
That led to his release from the promotion and Mix now seeks a fresh start after signing with RIZIN.
Mix previously competed in the Japan-based promotion when he was still in Bellator where he picked up a win over Yuki Motoya back in 2019. Now Mix returns to Japan with a fight booked at featherweight in hopes of jump-starting his career after a disappointing UFC run.
Category: General Sports
