The self-proclaimed best bantamweight in the world may get a chance to prove it in the UFC.
Since the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator, the Professional Fighters League has lost out on talent like upcoming title challenger Kayla Harrison, Aaron Pico, and two-division champion Patricio Pitbull.
Bellator royalty Gegard Mousasi and Ryan Bader followed them out of the promotion along with Patchy Mix, one of the brightest stars on the PFL roster.
The Bellator Bantamweight Champion never lost his belt to anyone. Mix (20-1) won the interim title with an epic knee KO of champ Raufeon Stots in 2023 and months later, the prodigy knocked out a former top-5 UFC contender in Sergio Pettis to unify the title.
A well-rounded fighter, Mix has long proclaimed himself the world’s best bantamweight, claiming he’d beat then champ Sean O’Malley in numerous interviews.
As of this week, a fight with the UFC 316 headliner just became that much more realistic.
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Patchy Mix becomes free agent after PFL release
On Tuesday, the PFL announced Mix has been released from the promotion months after he initially asked for it.
“Professional Fighters League and Patchy Mix have mutually agreed to not extend his contract. We both decided this is the best course of action for PFL and him,” said the PFL.
“Patchy is a fantastic fighter and we wish him well. PFL is excited to crown our next 135lb champion in the PFL World Tournament.”
With wins over Kyoji Horiguchi, Pettis, Stots, Magomed Magomedov (twice) and James Gallagher, Mix is more than a blue-chip prospect: he’s a world champion who could very well be signed to the UFC.
Patchy Mix claimed he could finish Sean O’Malley in 2 rounds
Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley is one fighter Mix is very confident he’d beat inside the Octagon.
The #1-ranked O’Malley is one of the UFC’s best strikers and he rematches Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title at UFC 316 on June 7th.
When asked in previous interviews on his chances against O’Malley, Mix replied:
“I’m very good on the feet, as well,” Mix told TMZ.
“I’m just as tall as [O’Malley]. Just as long as him.
“I just believe I’m better than him. I think I could finish him within 2.5 rounds. I don’t think he’d really have much for me.”
“I believe deep down, full-heartedly, in my heart of hearts, I actually know I am the best bantamweight in the world,” Mix said.
Mix is coming off a controversial decision win in his last fight against Magomed Magomedov at PFL Paris, which took place around this time last year.
The American has only lost once in his career, a unanimous decision to former Bellator and RIZIN champion Juan Archuleta in 2020.