Mario Bautista was unfazed by the news that Marlon “Chito” Vera was withdrawing from their planned bout at UFC 316. His new opponent would be promotional debutant Patchy Mix.
Typically, short-notice opponent changes result in a step down in competition because top-tier fighters aren`t readily available. However, that wasn`t the case here. Mix is a highly accomplished fighter, having previously held the Bellator bantamweight championship with an impressive 20-1 record, featuring 15 finishes via knockout or submission.
While Bautista acknowledges that Vera likely has greater name recognition due to his tenure in the UFC, he sees Mix as potentially an even more significant challenge.
Bautista on Mix`s Quality
“I thought the replacement was just as quality of a fighter if not better, in my eyes,” Bautista told reporters. Regarding fans who might not be familiar with Mix, he added, “These fans they need to keep up with MMA for sure.”
He further explained his perspective on the opponent switch. Bautista pointed out that while Vera is a top contender, he was coming off a two-fight losing streak. In contrast, Mix is a former champion riding an impressive win streak. “That’s what makes me excited for this fight so I’m happy I’m getting a good quality opponent and it’s going to be a true test,” Bautista stated.
Though Mix won`t arrive in the UFC with a ranking beside his name, Bautista believes his past performances in Bellator prove he belongs among the division`s elite.
“When it comes to skills and how good you are compared to the rest of the division, yeah, I think he definitely deserves to be in that top 10,” Bautista commented on Mix. “I think he’ll do well. I think as quality of opponent and how good he is, he’s definitely up there.”
The Pressure of a UFC Debut
Given Mix`s skills and accolades, there`s no question he`s earned this opportunity to debut on a major UFC pay-per-view main card.
However, Mix will face a level of pressure and scrutiny in this upcoming fight unlike anything he`s experienced before. Numerous athletes transitioning from other promotions have remarked on the immense scale and magnitude of fighting in the UFC, and thriving under that kind of spotlight can be challenging.
There are examples of fighters like Kayla Harrison and Michael Chandler who made immediate, significant impacts in the UFC with big wins. Conversely, many others, including recent former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull, have not met expectations in their initial UFC appearances.
Bautista cannot predict how Mix will react to his first fight in the UFC, but he intends to test if the highly-touted free agent signing is prepared for the highest level.
“We’re going to find out that night,” Bautista said. He acknowledged factors that could potentially affect Mix, such as having not fought in over a year, taking a top UFC fight on short notice, and dealing with the complexities of a major event while preparing for one of his biggest career fights.
Regardless of how Mix handles the moment, Bautista`s approach remains constant. “Whatever Patchy Mix, whatever version of him comes in if it’s the deer in the headlights guy or he’s on point right away, it’s not going to change what I do. I’m going to do my thing and get that job done,” he affirmed.
Path to the Title
Despite the attention surrounding Mix`s debut, Bautista is fully aware of what a win at UFC 316 means for his own career trajectory.
Currently riding a seven-fight winning streak in the bantamweight division, Bautista anticipates that defeating Mix on Saturday will position him among the top contenders. This is especially relevant with the current champion Merab Dvalishvili set to defend his belt against Sean O’Malley on the same card.
As a frequent training partner and friend of O’Malley over the years, Bautista is rooting for the former champion to reclaim his title. However, he also recognizes that if Dvalishvili wins, his own path to the championship might become even clearer.
“I feel like I jump right into that top five,” Bautista stated. He mused about potential future matchups if Merab wins, like against Cory Sandhagen, and added, “Because I think stylistically, I match up well against Merab.”
Bautista noted that an eight-fight win streak, which he would achieve with a victory, “does put me on that short list.” He contrasted this with Dvalishvili needing a ten-fight streak to earn his title shot. “We’ll see after this performance with Patchy if the UFC likes it and where that places me among the top [fighters],” he concluded.
Ideally, Bautista would defeat Mix and immediately contend for the title. However, he realistically expects that won`t happen and is prepared to earn at least one more victory after UFC 316 to solidify his position as the No. 1 contender.
Without directly mentioning names, Bautista seemed to reference fighters who might receive faster title opportunities, potentially due to connections or name recognition. Nevertheless, he is willing to put in the necessary work to earn his shot.
“With a win over Patchy and I’m expecting to fight someone else again before there’s even title talks or you’re an option for that,” Bautista explained, predicting he has “probably two more fights including Patchy.”
He concluded, “It’s unfortunate you’ve got to go on this long win streak and then there’s some guys that have a nice little last name and they get thrown right into the top. It’s just who I am. I’m always going to work hard for what I get and I’m always going to be happy about that at the end of the day.”
