Patchy Mix’s UFC debut didn’t go the way anyone expected, least of all Mix himself.
Heading into UFC 316, Mix carried a ton of hype. As the former Bellator Bantamweight Champion, many believed he was the best bantamweight not yet signed to the UFC. He was confident, vocal, and ready to prove he belonged with the sport’s elite. But once he stepped into the Octagon with Mario Bautista, reality hit hard.
Mix looked hesitant and struggled to find his rhythm. He barely shot for takedowns, just one attempt, which Bautista stuffed easily—and on the feet, he got outworked. After three rounds, the judges awarded Bautista a unanimous decision, handing Mix his first loss since 2020.
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping didn’t sugarcoat things on his Believe You Me podcast. In typical Bisping fashion, he kept it blunt and spoke about Mix’s performance.
“Patchy Mix sh*t the bed. He was beaten soundly. He wasn’t in the fight. He didn’t really do much.”
According to Bisping, Mix’s performance didn’t match the energy he brought during fight week. Patchy talked a big game at the press conference—declaring himself the best bantamweight in the sport and brushing off Bautista as if he were just another name. That confidence didn’t translate when it mattered.
“Especially after all that talk,” Bisping added. “He acted like he was going to walk in, steamroll everyone, and take the belt. Then he runs into Bautista, a guy who’s quietly been beating big names like Jose Aldo, and he completely shuts him down.”
Bisping also pointed out that while the striking stats seemed close on paper, Bautista clearly landed the cleaner, more damaging shots.
“Every time Bautista touched him, Mix winced. He made it obvious he didn’t like those shots—and if it’s a close fight, that kind of body language can sway the judges.”
There’s no question that Patchy Mix is still a dangerous fighter with a ton of upside. A single loss doesn’t define a career but this was a rough first impression.
