UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Patchy Mix is not short on confidence heading into his first title opportunity with Bellator.
Mix (13-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) headlines Saturday night’s Bellator 246 at Mohegan Sun Arena when he takes on Juan Archuleta for the vacant bantamweight title.
The undefeated prospect is only a few fights into his Bellator career, but Mix knew that once he dispatched of a highly touted Ricky Bandejas in his promotional debut, big things were coming.
He followed that up with another two first-round finishes over Isaiah Chapman and Yuki Motoya, and while Mix is expecting another quick night at the office, he’s also prepared for a five-round war with Archuleta (24-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA).
“They need a star in the division, and I’m that star,” Mix told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I’m a finisher. I don’t lose rounds. I dominate everyone I’ve ever fought. I’m on an amazing streak, and Saturday night, I do the same thing: I put him away, and if I don’t put him away, I drag him to hell. I’m going to be a star Saturday night. It’s my coming-out party to the world, and I’m ready for it.
“They’re going to see me hunt him down. I’m going to be tracking him all night, and I’m here for a finish. I’m not here to run away and not engage like the last few fights he’s been in. I’m here to engage with him. I’m here to put him down. I’m here to put my hands on him. I’m going to strike with him – it doesn’t matter what it is, I’m here to pressure him and make him fight.”
Mix, who’s never lost even in his amateur career, knows his stock will be at an all-time high if he’s crowned champion on Saturday and he 100 percent welcomes it. In fact, Mix won’t just view himself as the best bantamweight in Bellator – but the best 135-pounder period.
“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Mix said. “I respect Petr Yan on the other side (in the UFC). He’s the No.1 guy that they’re all calling, I feel like I put him down – I submit him quick. I don’t think he can (expletive) with me when we’re on the ground. I don’t think he can mess with me in there. He’s got good boxing, he’s got good striking and stuff like that. But like I said, I’m a different breed.
“I’m a young kid, I’m hungry, and I train with (John) Dodson, who fought him. I train with these guys, and my team knows. If you ever trained with me, if you ever shared the mats with me, you know what I’m talking about. So I feel like with this win here, I’m the best bantamweight in the world.”
Bellator 246’s Patchy Mix: If I don’t put Juan Archuleta away, I drag him to hell
