Tag Archives: Patchy Mix
2022 is the Year of the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EIGHT-MAN TOURNAMENT SET TO DETERMINE 135-POUND WORLD CHAMPION AND $1 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIZE WINNER
YEARLONG TOURNAMENT BEGINS IN FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR, EXCLUSIVELY ON SHOWTIME
WATCH TONIGHT’S ANNOUNCEMENT BY CLICKING HERE
LOS ANGELES – It was officially announced at tonight’s BELLATOR 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi event that next year’s prestigious BELLATOR World Grand Prix will take place in the promotion’s incredibly stacked bantamweight division. The winner of tonight’s 135-Pound World Championship fight between Sergio Pettis and Kyoji Horiguchi will defend their title next year in the Bantamweight World Grand Prix featuring a gauntlet of the eight best athletes the weight class has to offer.
In addition to both Pettis and Horiguchi, the Bantamweight World Grand Prix is set to feature former divisional champion Juan Archuleta, No. 2 ranked-Raufeon Stots, No. 3 ranked-Patchy Mix, No. 4 ranked-Magomed Magomedov, No. 5 ranked-Leandro Higo, and No. 6 ranked-James Gallagher, who will all vie for the right to be named the next BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion and take home a grand prize of one-million-dollars.
First-round matchups and additional details such as dates, locations and tournament alternates will be revealed soon.
All tournament bouts will be five-round contests and will be telecast in the United States exclusively on SHOWTIME.
Former BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion Kyoji Horiguchi enters tonight’s contest unranked due to inactivity within the promotion. Official BELLATOR Rankings will be updated and distributed on Monday, Dec. 6.
Champion – Sergio Pettis (21-5):
Fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc., Sergio Pettis captured the BELLATOR bantamweight crown in May 2021 by outpointing former champion Juan Archuleta in a fast-paced contest at BELLATOR 258. During a nearly six-year, 14-fight UFC stint, the Roufusport-product competed in both the flyweight and bantamweight classes, collecting nine victories and a pair of “Fight of the Night” honors against Alex Caceres and Matt Hobar in 2014. Prior to his UFC tenure, Pettis, the younger brother of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, earned world titles in Resurrection Fighting Alliance’s flyweight division and North American Fighting Championship’s 135-pound class. Following a trio of impressive triumphs over some of the division’s elite, BELLATOR’s bantamweight champion is set to protect his belt and an unblemished 3-0 promotional mark entering the tournament.
Former BELLATOR Bantamweight Champion – Kyoji Horiguchi (29-3):
Hailing from Takasaki, Japan, the 31-year-old Kyoji Horiguchi is the reigning RIZIN bantamweight champion who notoriously became a simultaneous, two-promotion champion in 2019 after taking down and upsetting then-BELLATOR champion Darrion Caldwell at Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, an injury would force Horiguchi to relinquish his BELLATOR title in 2019, and he now looks to reclaim his belt in a main event clash with current champion Sergio Pettis at BELLATOR 272. While with RIZIN, the American Top Team-product amassed an impressive 10-1 promotional mark, highlighted by eight finishes and five first-round knockouts. Additionally, more than half of Horiguchi’s career victories have come via knockout. Now, after reclaiming his RIZIN bantamweight strap and avenging only his third loss in 32 outings with a highlight-reel, opening-round knockout over Kai Asakura on New Year’s Eve 2020, the Japanese sensation fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla., aims to get his hands back on BELLATOR’s title
No. 1 Ranked Bantamweight – Juan Archuleta (25-3):
With the Bantamweight World Grand Prix set, former BELLATOR World Champion and No. 1-ranked Juan Archuleta sees a clear path toward regaining the 135-pound crown. Armed with 25 professional victories, including 12 by way of K.O. or submission, the “Spaniard” has no issues stopping opponents inside the BELLATOR cage. The former four-division King of the Cage world champion, who holds victories over Patchy Mix, Henry Corrales, and Ricky Bandejas, strives to keep that trend going throughout the Grand Prix.
No. 2 Ranked Bantamweight – Raufeon Stots (17-1):
Considered one of the world’s best 135-pound fighters, Raufeon “Supa” Stots has been in the title conversation since his 2019 BELLATOR debut. Currently riding a nine-fight winning streak, the No. 2-ranked bantamweight has defeated some of BELLATOR’s finest, including Magomed Magomedov and Josh Hill, by smothering opponents with top-tier grappling ability. Sporting a near-perfect 17-1 record, the Roufusport product and two-time NCAA Division II Champion now has an opportunity to compete for a long-awaited crown.
No. 3 Ranked Bantamweight – Patchy Mix (15-1):
Set to make his sixth promotional appearance under the BELLATOR umbrella, the pride of Angola, N.Y., has collected two-first round submission victories while compiling a 4-1 record with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The 28-year-old Buffalo, N.Y. native looks to build off his most recent win at BELLATOR 270 over James Gallagher in his opponent’s hometown of Dublin, Ireland, last month. Prior to his time with BELLATOR, Mix dominated the competition while on the regional scene by collecting nine of his 15 professional victories, including five first-round finishes. Now, the submission specialist will face the toughest challenge of his career, a shot at the tournament’s $1 million prize and BELLATOR’s 135-pound strap.
No. 4 Ranked Bantamweight – Magomed Magomedov (18-2):
After capturing belts in different organizations, Dagestani phenom Magomed Magomedov hopes to add to his collection by taking home BELLATOR gold. Amassing an impressive 18-2 career record with 12 via finish, “Tiger” has made a swift impact on the BELLATOR 135-pound division since his December 2020 promotional debut by climbing to No. 4 in the rankings. Possessing both a blistering pace and superior grappling, Magomedov has the potential to be a nightmare matchup for anyone in the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix.
No. 5 Ranked Bantamweight – Leandro Higo (21-5):
After dropping in weight to 135-pounds, Leandro Higo has been on a tear by winning three consecutive fights and putting the entire bantamweight division on notice. Under the tutelage of the famed Pitbull Brothers camp, the Brazilian is coming off a hard-fought, split-decision victory over former Bantamweight World Champion Darrion Caldwellat BELLATOR 259 in May 2021. As 12 of Higo’s 21 pro victories have come by submission, the entire bracket knows that the No. 5-ranked bantamweight will not be an easy out.
No. 6 Ranked Bantamweight – James Gallagher (11-2):
Hailing from Strabane, Ireland, one of MMA’s brightest young fighters strives to notch his 12th career victory in a tournament stacked with 135-pound talent. Following a finish over Anthony Taylor at BELLATOR 169 in December 2016 and a pair of first-round submissions the following year, “The Strabanimal” has tallied four victories over his past six contests, including three first-round finishes and a highlight reel 35-second win at BELLATOR 227. Poised for the biggest test of his young career, the former SBG Ireland-product aims to shed the shadow of former training partner, Conor McGregor, and add to his own legacy with a shot at BELLATOR bantamweight gold.
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
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Stakes Raised in Rematch Between Peter Queally & Patricky Pitbull as Newly Vacated Lightweight World Title Now up for Grabs in Main Event of BELLATOR MMA 270 on Nov. 5
BELLATOR MMA RETURNS TO THE 3ARENA IN DUBLIN ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5
PAIR OF GRUDGE MATCHES HEADLINE THE CARD AS IRISH MMA PHENOMENON JAMES GALLAGHER MEETS FELLOW SUBMISSION ACE PATCHY MIX AT BANTAMWEIGHT & HOME-CROWD FAVORITE PETER QUEALLY FACES TOP RANKED PATRICKY “PITBULL” IN IMMEDIATE REMATCH
BELLATOR 270 TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 27
DUBLIN – After more than 18 months away from the 3Arena, BELLATOR’s return to the iconic Dublin venue is set for Friday, Nov. 5, when Ireland’s own No. 6 ranked James “The Strabanimal” Gallagher (11-1) faces the No. 2 ranked Patchy Mix (14-1) in a huge bantamweight main event to headline BELLATOR 270.
In the co-headliner, No. 4 ranked lightweight and Dublin’s very own Peter “The Showstopper” Queally (13-5-1), will be looking to bring the house down again when he faces 23-time BELLATOR veteran and No. 1 ranked Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (23-10) in a highly anticipated rematch. An additional five preliminary matchups for BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix are also confirmed below.
Tickets to BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix go on general sale on this Friday, Aug. 27, with an exclusive presale on Thursday, Aug. 26, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.ie and Bellator.com.
Fans in Ireland will be able to watch the event on both Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport, while those in the UK can watch the event live on BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile U.S. fans will be able to enjoy the main card action live on SHOWTIME at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, with a replay at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
The eagerly awaited bantamweight matchup between Gallagher and Mix has the potential to go down as one of the all-time great fights in BELLATOR history. It was originally due to take place in May at BELLATOR 258, but injury forced Gallagher out of the encounter. Now, in front of what is guaranteed to be an electric Irish crowd, the “Strabanimal” will finally get his chance to silence Mix as he looks to earn the biggest win of his career to date.
“I’m so grateful to be back as the headline in Dublin,” said Gallagher, “I’ve moved to America to take my mindset and skill set to another level and I’m happy I can show my work to my home fans! Welcome to the Jimmy Show! ”
Patchy Mix is currently the #2 ranked bantamweight and fights out of Extreme Couture in Las Vegas. Like Gallagher, Mix has made a name for himself in the BELLATOR cage by displaying impressive submissions, including the rare Suloev Stretch.
Mix said of his long-awaited matchup: “I’m going to walk into James’ home country and put him away in the first round.”
After a series of lively back-and-forth trash talk encounters and cancelled bouts due to injury, Queally and Pitbull finally met in the BELLATOR cage in May earlier this year, with the Irishman causing a huge upset, securing a hard-fought TKO victory due to a doctor’s stoppage following a cut Patricky sustained in the second round.
Queally, meanwhile, who trains alongside Gallagher out of Ireland’s famous Straight Blast Gym, will be looking to once again use the might of the home-crowd to help him secure a decisive win over his bitter rival, Pitbull.
“I can’t wait to get back out there again to settle this once and for all with Pitbull and really give the 3Arena crowd something special,” Queally said. “Patricky is such a perfect opponent, there has been so much that has gone on with me and him that I think the crowd will be even more invested than normal this time. Expect an all-out war – I’m going to beat him, and the lightweight belt is next.”
Freire – the older brother of BELLATOR lightweight champion Patrício – has competed professionally since 2005, earning a fearsome reputation as a knockout artist. Living up to the moniker “Pitbull,” Freire will be looking to even the score with Queally, silence the home crowd and get back to his winning ways.
“He knows he was getting beat up in the first fight,” said Pitbull. “He felt pain in his legs and body, I’m gonna make him feel even more pain now. The Irish fans are very loud and passionate, but when I knock him out, you will be able to hear a pin drop in that arena.”
The news of a return to Dublin rounds off a trio of BELLATOR MMA events confirmed on European soil in 2021, with the cage setting down in London on October 1 and Moscow on October 23 before heading to the Irish capital on November 5.
BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix MainCard:
SHOWTIME (US) / BBC iPlayer (UK) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)
Friday, October 1 – 9 p.m. GMT/5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
Bantamweight Main Event: #6-James Gallagher (11-1) vs. #2-Patrick Mix (14-1)
Lightweight Co-Main Event: #4-Peter Queally (13-5-1) vs. #1-Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (23-10)
Preliminary Card:
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV (US)
BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)
5:30 p.m. GMT/1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT
Lightweight Bout: Daniele Scatizzi (10-5) vs. Brian Hooi (16-7, 1 NC)
Featherweight Bout: Ciaran Clarke (3-0) vs. Jordan Barton (6-1-1)
Strawweight Bout: Danni Neilan (4-0) vs. Audrey Kerouche (7-5, 2 NC)
Featherweight Bout: Junior Morgan (3-0) vs. Darragh Kelly (Pro Debut)
Welterweight Bout:Stephen Costello (Pro Debut) vs. Yusuf Nazokatov (Pro Debut)
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*Card subject to change.
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.
Updated schedule of BELLATOR events
Sat. Sept. 18 // BELLATOR 266: Davis vs. Romero //SAP Center // San Jose, CA
Fri. Oct. 1 // BELLATOR 267: Lima vs. MVP 2 //The SSE Arena, Wembley // London, England
Sat. Oct. 16 // BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals // Footprint Center // Phoenix, AZ
Sat. Oct. 23 // BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson // VTB Arena // Moscow, Russia
Fri. Nov. 5 // BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland
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OFFICIAL BELLATOR 246: ARCHULETA VS. MIX RESULTS AND PHOTOS
OFFICIAL BELLATOR 245: DAVIS VS. MACHIDA 2 RESULTS AND PHOTOS
BELLATOR MMA ANNOUNCES MASSIVE DOUBLEHEADER LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN FROM MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
PLUS, THE BELLATOR DEBUTS OF FORMER TITLE CHALLENGERS CAT ZINGANO AND LIZ CARMOUCHE
LOS ANGELES — For the first time, Bellator MMA’s “FightSphere” at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. will host a stacked doubleheader weekend on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. On night one, Bellator 245 is headlined by former world champs Phil Davis (21-5, 1 NC) and Lyoto Machida (26-9) in a light heavyweight rematch, while Bellator 246 on night two sees a bantamweight world championship fight featuring top contender Juan Archuleta (24-2) taking on the undefeated Patchy Mix (13-0) for the vacant title.
Two former world title challengers also make their long-awaited Bellator debuts, as Cat Zingano (10-4) takes on Gabby Holloway (6-5) in a featherweight matchup at Bellator 245, while Liz Carmouche (13-7) meets the newly signed DeAnna Bennett (10-6-1) at flyweight during the main card of Bellator 246.
Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2 on Friday, Sept. 11 and Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix on Saturday, Sept. 12 air live on Paramount Network and DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. Preliminary action will stream on Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming days.
A former Bellator light heavyweight world champion, Phil Davis returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since stopping Karl Albrektsson at Bellator 231 in October of last year. A four-time NCAA D-I All-American wrestler at Penn State University, “Mr. Wonderful” has earned professional victories over Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and the man he will face again on Sept. 11, Lyoto Machida. With eight Bellator appearances already, the San Diego-based fighter has his sights set on reclaiming his world title in the sport’s toughest light heavyweight division.
After signing with Bellator in 2018, Lyoto Machida made his highly anticipated promotional debut with a victory over former champ Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 213 and would later go on to defeat the now-retired Chael Sonnen inside the famed Madison Square Garden at Bellator 222. The former UFC light heavyweight champ, known to fans around the globe as “The Dragon,” owns notable career wins over Tito Ortiz, “Shogun” Rua, Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans and Randy Couture. Having lost to Davis in the first matchup in Brazil, the native ofSalvador, Bahia, Brazil is looking for redemption and a future shot at Bellator gold.
Fresh off of an impressive victory over Henry Corrales at Bellator 238 earlier this year, Juan Archuleta will look to capture the promotion’s vacant bantamweight strap. Fighting out of Hesperia, Calif., the 32-year-old knockout artist will once again drop down a weight class for a shot at the world title, something he successfully accomplished on four separate occasions while competing for regional promotion King of the Cage (light welterweight, lightweight, flyweight and bantamweight). Following a hard-fought featherweight world title bout with Patricio Pitbull last September, “The Spaniard” returns to bantamweight, where he has been undefeated for over five years.
Currently fighting out of Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., Patchy Mix will make his fourth appearance for Bellator, where he has tallied three first-round submission victories. The 26-year-old Buffalo, N.Y.-native hopes to remain undefeated and build off of his most recent win on New Year’s Eve, which saw “No Love” earn a guillotine choke-submission over Yuki Motoya at Bellator’s co-promotional event with Rizin at Rizin.20 in Japan. Prior to his time with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Mix dominated his competition in all nine of his fights with King of the Cage, collecting five first round finishes. Now, the submission specialist will face the toughest test of his young career, a matchup with the former Bellator featherweight world title contender and a shot at Bellator’s vacant 135-pound strap.
Also announced for Bellator 245…“Easy” Ed Ruth (8-2) returns to middleweight against the debuting Taylor “Tombstone” Johnson (5-1) on the main card; current Bellator Kickboxing welterweight world champ Raymond “The Real Deal” Daniels (2-1) returns to MMA against Peter Stanonik (5-4); former middleweight champ Rafael Carvalho (16-4) squares off with undefeated Alex “Easy” Polizzi (6-0) at light heavyweight; hard-hitting heavyweights Tyrell Fortune (8-1) and Jack May (11-6) collide; “Killa” Keith Lee (6-3) faces Dominic “The Honey Badger” Mazzotta (15-3) in a 140-lb. contract weight preliminary matchup.
Also announced for Bellator 246…top welterweight contenders Jon Fitch (32-7-2, 1 NC) and Neiman Gracie (9-1) square off in the co-main event; Derek “The Stallion” Campos (20-10) andRoger “El Matador” Huerta (24-12-1, 1 NC) go toe-to-toe in a lightweight battle; Jackson Wink MMA heavyweight prospect Davion “The Don” Franklin (1-0) takes on Ras “The Jamaican Shamrock” Hylton (6-4) on the prelims; Hawaii’s Ty “Savage” Gwerder (4-1) meets London’s George “Tuco” Tokkos (4-1) in a middleweight contest.
Updated Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2 Main Card:
Paramount Network and DAZN
Friday, Sept. 11 – 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT
Light Heavyweight Main Event: Phil Davis (21-5, 1 NC) vs. Lyoto Machida (26-9)
Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cat Zingano (10-4) vs. Gabby Holloway (6-5)
Middleweight Feature Bout: Ed Ruth (8-2) vs. Taylor Johnson (5-1)
Welterweight Feature Bout: Raymond Daniels (2-1) vs. Peter Stanonik (5-4)
Updated Preliminary Card:
Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel
Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Rafael Carvalho (16-4) vs. Alex Polizzi (6-0)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Tyrell Fortune (8-1) vs. Jack May (11-6)
140-lb. Contract Weight Preliminary Bout: Keith Lee (6-3) vs. Dominic Mazzotta (15-3)
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Updated Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix Main Card:
Paramount Network and DAZN
Saturday, Sept. 12 – 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT
Bantamweight World Title Bout: Juan Archuleta (24-2) vs. Patchy Mix (13-0)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Jon Fitch (32-7-2, 1 NC) vs. Neiman Gracie (9-1)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Liz Carmouche (13-7) vs. DeAnna Bennett (10-6-1)
Lightweight Feature Bout: Derek Campos (20-10) vs. Roger Huerta (24-12-1, 1 NC)
Updated Preliminary Card:
Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Ty Gwerder (4-1) vs. George Tokkos (4-1)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Davion Franklin (1-0) vs. Ras Hylton (6-4)
*Card subject to change.
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