RIZIN Reportedly Cuts Patchy Mix After 0-2 Start

Patchy Mix has lost his place in RIZIN. The former Bellator bantamweight champion was reportedly released after two defeats, and his next step is unclear.

Dropkick's report

The news comes via the MMA outlet Dropkick. According to Dropkick, Mix no longer appears on RIZIN's roster and his contract is gone. The promotion's own position is not part of the report.

Whether he re-signs with the promotion or becomes a free agent is not known yet.

Two fights, two losses

Mix signed with RIZIN after leaving the UFC. Both of his fights there ended in losses, including a TKO defeat at RIZIN 52.

That run extended a longer slide. Mix lost to Magomed Magomedov and then moved to the UFC in free agency. His debut ended in an upset loss to Mario Bautista at UFC 316. At UFC 320 he dropped a split decision to Jakub Wiklacz, who took the fight on short notice. Mix and the UFC then parted ways.

Counting Magomedov, Bautista, Wiklacz and the two RIZIN bouts, that is five losses in a row.

From the Bellator peak

At his best, Mix was considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport during his Bellator bantamweight reign. Before the slide, he had won 19 of his first 20 professional fights, and he was regarded as one of the best fighters outside the UFC. As Bellator champion he beat Sergio Pettis, Raufeon Stots and Kyoji Horiguchi.

His last win came against Pettis at Bellator 301, which turned out to be his final Bellator title defense. Mix is now 33.

He is now looking at other MMA options. Away from competing, he still works as a cornerman and coach for several teammates at Xtreme Couture, UFC fighter Tatiana Suarez among them.

Our View

Recent results give Mix little to build on, though the Bellator years still count for something. The first signal will be whether RIZIN confirms the split and whether Mix names his next move. Until then, a new deal with RIZIN, another promotion or a step away from fighting all remain open.

Source: BJPenn.com