Merab Dvalishvili didn’t enjoy seeing Patchy Mix underperform in his debut at UFC 316.
June 7 was a great night for the bantamweight champion competitively, as Dvalishvili submitted Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 to record his second successful defense of the title.
That was among a few key contests at 135 pounds, one of which saw the arrival of a highly regarded name who was yet to compete in the Octagon.
After departing the PFL as a former Bellator champion, Mix made his debut against Mario Bautista. While the 31-year-old had predicted domination to book a clash with a top-five contender next, he was instead comfortably beaten by the No. 10-ranked UFC bantamweight.
As is often the case when a highly touted new signing performs poorly, Mix was quickly the victim of “fraud check” allegations in the MMA community.
But he has received support from just about the highest place possible.
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Merab Dvalishvili confident Patchy Mix will bounce back in the UFC
Among those watching on backstage as Mix made an underwhelming start to life in the UFC was Dvalishvili, who was preparing for his headlining title defense.
The Georgian is well aware of Mix’s talents having frequently trained with the ex-Bellator star in Las Vegas. With that in mind, Dvalishvili insisted during his post-fight press conference that the newcomer has plenty more to offer than what he showed on debut.
‘The Machine’ remains highly confident that Mix is destined for big things in the UFC.
“Patchy Mix is a great fighter,” Dvalishvili said. “I was training him and he was the toughest sparring partner, for sure.
“His jiu-jitsu and grappling is another level. Once he takes your back, he can wait, sit here — he can make a phone call with family, you know?
“But some days are not always the best day for you,” Dvalishvili added. “Today, he can’t show his real skills. But I’m sure he will come back from this and he will show more good fights.
“He will have a big career (in the UFC), I believe.”
Patchy Mix predicted he’d trouble Merab Dvalishvili before UFC 316 loss
Prior to his setback in Newark, Mix wasn’t short on confidence throughout UFC 316 fight week. And the debutant’s self-belief extended way beyond just his clash with Bautista.
The 31-year-old quickly set his sights on the bantamweight title, and during an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri, Mix backed himself to trouble Dvalishvili.
“He’s very good. Like don’t get me wrong, like very good,” Mix said of Dvalishvili.
“I don’t think, with all due respect — I think he’s very good against everyone but I don’t think he’s very good against me. I think I’m a whole different matchup for these guys,” Mix added.
While one defeat likely won’t shake Mix’s determination, it has dented his plan to make a quick surge up the ladder into a title shot.
He’ll now have to focus on getting on the board in the UFC before targeting clashes with the bantamweight division’s upper echelon down the line.