Patchy Mix Joins RIZIN Featherweight Roster
Patchy Mix, a former Bellator champion, has joined the RIZIN featherweight roster following his departure from the UFC.
Mix stated that financial reasons contributed to his exit from the UFC.
UFC Tenure and Departure
Mix concluded his UFC run with an 0-2 record in 2025, including losses to Mario Bautista and Jakub Wiklacz. He indicated that his UFC contract was a "contender contract" at bantamweight, which made losses to unranked opponents financially unsustainable.
His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, informed him of his release from the UFC. Mix expressed a desire to move to featherweight, a weight class not accommodated by his existing UFC contract.
RIZIN Return and Future Plans
Mix is scheduled to face Kyoma Akimoto in the main event of RIZIN 52 this Friday. This marks his first fight in Japan since RIZIN 20 in December 2019, where he defeated Yuki Motoya.
Mix will compete at featherweight for the first time in ten years, stating that previous cuts to 135 pounds were "really brutal on my body and on my performance."
His stated goal in RIZIN is to pursue Razhabali Shaydullaev, the current RIZIN featherweight champion, who holds a 17-0 record. Mix also expressed a desire for three fights in 2026, aiming to remain active and participate in RIZIN's New Year's card.
Opponent Details: Kyoma Akimoto
Kyoma Akimoto holds an 11-1 MMA record, securing four wins in 2025, with his last three opponents stopped.