Patchy Mix, considered one of the most sought-after free agents in mixed martial arts, has reportedly signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and may be stepping in to fill a spot on the upcoming UFC 316 card.
It was recently announced by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) that Mix, the former Bellator bantamweight champion, would not be renewing his contract and had become a free agent. This situation arose amidst PFL`s ongoing issues with some of its top fighters following the acquisition of Bellator, including the departure of Patricio Pitbull who also eventually signed with the UFC.
Mix is widely recognized as one of the top 135-pound fighters globally, and his addition to the UFC`s competitive bantamweight division presents numerous intriguing potential matchups.
Patchy Mix Reportedly Signs with the UFC and Steps In at UFC 316
Just days after the news of his PFL departure broke, reports emerged that Mix had quickly finalized a deal with the UFC. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani indicated on his show that a signing was imminent, stating, “it’s not a matter of if he will sign with the UFC it’s a matter of when… it’s a matter of when he’ll debut with the UFC, this is a done deal.”
Shortly thereafter, news surfaced that former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera was out of his scheduled fight against Mario Bautista at UFC 316. Following this, reports emerged suggesting Patchy Mix would step in to face Bautista in Newark, marking his highly anticipated UFC debut on a major event headlined by the bantamweight championship bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley.
Patchy Mix Previously Claimed He Would Beat Sean O’Malley
For several years, fans and analysts have called for the UFC to sign the 31-year-old Mix, particularly during the period when Sean O’Malley held the division`s top spot.
At that time, many in the MMA community regarded Mix as arguably the best bantamweight fighter in the world, even over the reigning UFC champion, `Suga` Sean O`Malley.
Given this perception, Mix has previously been asked about a potential fight against O`Malley. He expressed confidence, claiming he could defeat the UFC champion within the first two rounds.
Gareth Pendleton