A shocking development in the world of MMA has left fans and experts alike scratching their heads. The once-promising career of Patchy Mix has taken an unexpected turn, and his recent release from the UFC roster has sparked controversy and raised questions.
Damon Martin, a seasoned journalist in the combat sports realm, brings us the news. Patchy Mix, a former Bellator bantamweight champion, has been let go by the UFC after just two fights. But here's where it gets interesting: Mix has already found a new home in RIZIN, a Japan-based promotion, where he aims to reignite his career.
Sources close to the situation revealed that Mix's departure from the UFC was confirmed on Wednesday, just days after he was announced for a fight in RIZIN on March 7. For his next chapter, Mix is moving up to the featherweight division, where he will face Kyoma Akimoto in Tokyo.
Mix's journey has been a rollercoaster. Ranked as one of the top bantamweights during his time with Bellator, he achieved notable victories over Kyoji Horiguchi, Magomed Magomedov, Raufeon Stots, and Sergio Pettis. However, his path took a turn when Bellator was sold to the PFL, leading to a contract impasse and inactivity.
After parting ways with the PFL in May 2025, Mix quickly signed with the UFC as a top free agent. Unfortunately, his UFC stint didn't go as planned. He suffered back-to-back losses, first to Mario Bautista in his debut and then to newcomer Jakub Wiklacz. This led to his release from the UFC.
And this is the part most people miss: Mix's previous experience with RIZIN. While still under the Bellator banner, Mix competed in Japan and secured a win over Yuki Motoya in 2019. Now, he returns to the land of the rising sun, hoping to turn his career around and make a fresh start.
So, what does this mean for Patchy Mix's future? Will he find success in RIZIN and prove his UFC setbacks were just a blip on the radar? Or has his star faded too quickly? These questions are sure to spark debate among MMA enthusiasts. What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your opinions and predictions in the comments below!
