UFC signs dangerous champion to save UFC 316 main card fight

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated May 17, 2025 9:15 PM ET

Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LL

UFC has signed a major promotional champion to save a huge fight on the UFC 316 main card.

Fans were gutted to see Marlon Vera pull out of his main card appearance opposite Mario Bautista on the June 6 PPV. 'Chito' has the opportunity to gain more fanfare by dispatching the unpopular Bautista.after his tepid win against José Aldo.

However, the fight has arguably been improved by the official introduction of a former PFL-Bellator champion and global pound-for-pound talent.

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Bellator

UFC officially signs Patchy Mix to fight Mario Bautista at UFC 316

It's official, the UFC has signed former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix to fill in on short notice at UFC 316. Mix will replace Vera on the main card against Bautista.

Breaking: Former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix has signed with the UFC, John Gooden announced during #UFCVegas106

He will make his debut with the promotion against Mario Bautista at #UFC316 on June 7. pic.twitter.com/M8xO7S6gF4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 18, 2025

The news was broken during the UFC Vegas 106 main card on Saturday, May 17. Mix-Bautista was first reported by MagicM on X on May 15.

Can confirm now.

Patchy Mix vs Mario Bautista it’s on.

Per sources. https://t.co/HEEnDnZEl0
— MagicM (@MagicM_MMABets) May 14, 2025

Mix's signing marks one of, if not the biggest, UFC signings of the year. The promotion has made some big moves recently, such as signing former contender Kyoji Horiguchi and Bellator star Aaron Pico. However, Mix is still young and is the perennial Bellator bantamweight champion.

Mix scored highlights over top fighters Raufeon Stots, Magomed Magomedov, and Sergio Pettis, but was kept on ice by the PFL after the Bellator merger. He wastes no time since being released by the promotion in May, and takes a tough outing against Bautista, who rides a seven-fight winning streak.

Without a doubt, an emphatic win at UFC 316 puts Mix straight into title contention.

This article first appeared on MMA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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