The UFC 316 main card featured an exciting bantamweight showdown between former Bellator champion Patchy Mix and No. 10 ranked fighter Mario Bautista. This match marked Mix's highly anticipated debut in the UFC. The event took place on May 4, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Patchy Mix entered the fight after successfully defending his Bellator bantamweight title against Magomed Magomedov in May 2024. Mixing his unique skill set, Mix was riding a seven-fight winning streak, looking to maintain momentum in his UFC debut. His last loss came in September 2020, and he aimed to make a strong impact in the octagon against Bautista.
On the other hand, Mario Bautista was equally formidable, also boasting a seven-fight winning streak. Bautista's confidence surged after he secured a remarkable victory against MMA legend Jose Aldo at UFC 307 last October. Knowing Mix's reputation, Bautista sought to spoil his debut and cement his place among the bantamweight elite.
As the fight commenced, Bautista displayed his striking prowess early on by delivering effective leg kicks and targeting Mix’s body with punches. Mix opted to maintain distance but took two right hands from Bautista. Bautista’s higher output and pace established him as the aggressor in the fight, as he consistently landed body shots. In a clinch exchange, Mix landed a knee, but Bautista continued to shine, connecting with a clean right hand late in the first round. MMAWeekly scored the opening frame 10-9 in favor of Bautista.
The second round saw Mix attempt to press forward but Bautista responded strongly, returning to body shots with precision. Mix found some success with his jab and landed a combination, but Bautista quickly retaliated with a left hand. They exchanged powerful right hands, and while Mix was actively searching for openings, Bautista landed a powerful 1-2 combination, including a right hand to the body. Though Mix improved his performance in this round, MMAWeekly still scored it 10-9 for Bautista.
As the final round began, Mix sought a takedown but was unable to secure it against Bautista's aggressive striking. Bautista continued to dictate the action, landing several right hands. Mix pressed forward, landing a solid left before Bautista countered with a right to the body. Mix attempted to put together combinations and landed a straight left, but Bautista held strong. Though Mix showcased resilience and skill, MMAWeekly concluded the round with a score of 10-9 for Bautista.
After three competitive rounds, the judges awarded the victory to Mario Bautista by unanimous decision. The official scorecards read 29-28, 30-27, and 30-27, reflecting Bautista's dominance throughout the fight. This result not only showcased Bautista's brilliance but also established him as a strong contender in the bantamweight division, while Patchy Mix prepares to regroup and strategize for his next fight in the octagon.
