[autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] is taking [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] very seriously.
Interim bantamweight champion Mix (18-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) faces undisputed champ Pettis (23-5 MMA, 9-5 BMMA) in a title unification bout that co-headlines Bellator 301 on Nov. 17 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
This will mark Mix’s second undisputed title opportunity after falling short to Juan Archuleta in 2020. Mix has since won five straight en route to winning the bantamweight grand prix with a knockout of Raufeon Stots. Although his streak includes wins over Kyoji Horiguchi, Magomed Magomedov, and Stots, he views Pettis as his toughest test to date.
“I fought for this belt before. I lost it against Juan Archuleta (on) Sept. 12, 2020, and I’m here with vengeance,” Mix told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’m here fully prepared this time. It’s my fourth 25-minute fight in a row and I’m going to make it count.
“I’m fighting the most dangerous opponent I’ve ever fought in Sergio Pettis. He’s coming off a win over Patricio ”Pitbull’ (Freire), the guy that knocked out Michael Chandler. He’s dangerous as hell right now. He’s just entering in his prime, just turned 30 years old – it’s such a dangerous fight.”
Pettis has also racked up an impressive resume with wins over Archuleta, a knockout of Horiguchi, and most recently a title defense against arguably the promotion’s best fighter Patricio Freire. Mix has finished four of his past five opponents, and hopes he can add Pettis to that list.
“I’m searching for that high,” Mix said. “I really want to finish this guy and I really want to feel what it feels like to take out someone the calibre of Sergio Pettis.”
[lawrence-related id=2652126,2639512,2636619]
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.