Bellator champ Patchy Mix hits free agency after PFL agrees ‘not to extend his contract’

Patchy Mix | Jose Peñuela, Bellator

Patchy Mix is now the highest profile free agent in combat sports.

The now-former Bellator bantamweight champion has secured his release after PFL announced Tuesday that the leage agreed not to extend his contract, which effectively cuts him loose to look for a new fighting home.

“Professional Fighters League and Patchy Mix have mutually agreed to not extend his contract,” PFL officials wrote in a statement released on Tuesday. “We both decided this is the best course of action for PFL and him.

“Patchy is a fantastic fighter and we wish him well. PFL is excited to crown our next 135 pound champion in the PFL World Tournament.”

The announcement brings to an end a saga that’s played out over several months after Mix complained about inactivity when a planned return against Leandro Higo this past November was cancelled. In the aftermath of that cancellation, Mix asked for his release from PFL.

Since that time, Mix has continued to express his anger and frustration towards PFL about his inactivity with his most recent fight coming back in May 2024 when he defeated Magomed Magomedov in a rematch.

That performance served as Mix’s seventh consecutive win in a row and boosted his overall record to 20-1.

Unfortunately, Mix never got the chance to extend that win streak or defend his Bellator title again after the long layoff that led to him requesting his release from the promotion.

Now it appears the two sides have come to a mutual agreement to part ways.

It’s tough to imagine the UFC won’t show immediate interest in Mix as the top bantamweight in the sport not currently under contract with the promotion. Mix trains in Las Vegas where he spends time working with reigning UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and has long expressed interest in joining the UFC roster.

It looks like Mix might finally get that opportunity after cutting ties with the PFL.