Patchy Mix wants to put the world on notice with a statement win in his promotional debut at UFC 316.
See Patchy Mix reaction to UFC signing, talks debut vs. Mario Bautista
Patchy Mix talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters backstage at UFC Fight Night 256 about news of his signing, his debut vs. Mario Bautista at UFC 316
LAS VEGAS – Patchy Mix has made it no secret that he’s gunning for the UFC bantamweight title. He’s not fighting for the belt just yet, but he plans on winning his next fight in a way that tells everyone he’s the future.
Mix, the last Bellator bantamweight champion, recently left the PFL and signed with the UFC. He’s expected to debut at UFC 316, which takes place on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, against veteran Mario Bautista. Mix intends to not only beat Bautista but also make a statement to the world that he’s the very best on the planet.
“For them (fans) to say I wasn’t elite and stuff, it was almost comical to me because of how much work I was doing and how many people I submit on a daily basis,” Mix told reporters at UFC Fight Night 256 on Saturday. “Now that I’m here, I get a chance to prove it, and in three weeks, I plan to run him over. I plan to put him away. I know guys have finished him before, but I plan on putting him away and prove that I’m different than everyone else in this division, and I’m different than all these top-ranked guys.”
It’s a short-notice opportunity for Mix. Bautista was originally expected to face Marlon Vera, but Vera withdrew from the fight due to injury. Despite the shorter-than-usual training camp time, Mix still sees UFC 316 as the perfect venue for his debut.
“I’m a New York guy,” Mix explained. “… I get to go to New Jersey, six hours from my hometown, and make my UFC debut after years of clawing at the bit to get here.”
Mix isn’t too sure a win over Bautista will get him a title shot, but he expects it to push him towards the top of the division and into the UFC official rankings, given his trajectory in Bellator.
“I’m already a multi-time world champion,” Mix said. “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.”
