Patchy Mix’s long-anticipated run in the UFC has come to a quick close.
ESPN reports that the promotion has released the fighter from its roster less than a year after his debut, ending a brief stint that included just two appearances inside the Octagon.
Mix, a former Bellator bantamweight champion, confirmed the news while speaking at a recent RIZIN media event in Japan.
Mix entered the UFC in 2025 with significant momentum after years of success outside the promotion. He made his debut in June, stepping in on short notice to face Mario Bautista.
The fight went the distance, with Mix dropping a unanimous decision. He returned in October 2025 against Jakub Wikłacz, a former KSW bantamweight champion also making his UFC debut. That bout ended in a split decision loss, though a majority of media scorecards favored Mix.
Following the second fight, Mix said he was informed of the UFC’s decision several weeks later.
“After my last fight, I waited about five to six weeks, and then [my management] told me I was going to be released,” Mix said. “I started searching and thinking about what I wanted to do with my career.”
The 32-year-old added that the move has opened the door for a reset, both professionally and physically. After years of competing at bantamweight, Mix plans to move up to featherweight moving forward.
“The main thing was to go up to featherweight and rebrand,” he explained. “I want to show Patchy 2.0. I haven’t had fun in a long time because I’ve been cutting so much weight.”
That next chapter will begin overseas. Shortly after his release, Mix signed with Rizin Fighting Federation and is scheduled to face Kyoma Akimoto on March 7 at RIZIN 52 in Japan.
Before joining the UFC, Mix built an extensive résumé elsewhere. He captured the Bellator bantamweight title in 2023, won the promotion’s $1 million World Grand Prix tournament, and recorded notable victories over Sergio Pettis, Magomed Magomedov, and Kyoji Horiguchi. He also competed in professional grappling, earning a decision win over Kairat Akhmetov in 2024.