Fighters Only : Former Bellator Champ Patchy Mix Makes UFC Debut June 7

Paul Browne

May 18, 2025

Patchy Mix is set to make his UFC debut in just three weeks.

The former Bellator bantamweight champion, who had long pushed for a release from his PFL contract, finally got his wish last week. The PFL announced via statement that both parties had mutually agreed to part ways.

Mix (20-1) is now scheduled to face Mario Bautista (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) at UFC 316, which takes place June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The 31-year-old steps in for former title challenger Marlon Vera, who withdrew from the bout last week due to injury.

Mix fought ten times under the Bellator banner after signing with the promotion in 2019. He won seven of his first eight bouts—including six by submission—before knocking out Raufeon Stots in April 2023 to claim the Bellator bantamweight title. He successfully defended the belt later that year, submitting Sergio Pettis.

Following Bellator’s acquisition by the PFL in late 2023, Mix made just one appearance under the new banner, earning a decision win over Magomed Magomedov at the Bellator Champions Series event in Paris in May 2024. Since then, Mix had repeatedly called on the PFL to either schedule him a fight or release him.

Now free of contractual ties, Mix is poised to prove himself as one of the top bantamweights in the world.

His UFC debut won’t be an easy one. At UFC 316, he faces Mario Bautista, who is riding a seven-fight win streak and currently sits at No. 10 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. Bautista most recently earned a split-decision victory over former champion José Aldo at UFC 307 in October—arguably the biggest win of his career.