Paris, France — Patchy Mix left Paris on Friday with his Bellator MMA bantamweight title in tow. He also left it as a newly engaged man.
Ahead of Bellator Paris, where Mix (20-1) earned a split decision win over Magomed Magomedov in his first title defense, the bantamweight champ had proposed to girlfriend Tatiana Suarez. On the eve of the fight, no less.
𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘾𝙄𝙏𝙔 𝙊𝙁 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀 ❤️
Congratulations to Bellator Bantamweight Champion @TeamMixMMA and @tatianaufc on their engagement on the eve of #BellatorParis! pic.twitter.com/NSyP6t86DA
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 17, 2024
“It was a lot of pressure. I didn’t want to wait until after the fight though, because I’m f*cking hurting right now. I just wanted to make sure I was healthy, I didn’t want to have to take a trip to hospital, break something or something, and then not be able to do it after the fight,” Mix explained following the fight, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press about his decision to propose in Paris. “Because we’re only in Paris once, wanted to do it before, and my head was a little scrambled but I got it done late last night. I wanted to make it special for Tatiana as well.”
The trip turned out perfectly, at least on the surface. While he didn’t finish Magomedov this time out, as he did in the pair’s first meeting, Mix retained his 135lb title. That said, Mix wasn’t happy with the bout going the distance.
“I’m a little disappointed in myself, I felt like I should have finished him in the third. Just adjustments. I think, it’s my first rematch, so he kind of knew my game, he knew what to look out for, he made adjustments himself. So much respect to him, Khabib, Khabib Nurmagomedov, his camp, they got him ready, so I knew he’d be prepared. He’s one of the best from Dagestan.”
Mix admitted to being confused when the first judge awarded the fight to Magomedov with a score of 49-46. “I was confident that I won the fight. I felt like just scored on rounds, I thought I won. I thought I won one, three and even five, and even another one. I felt good.”
He also addressed the cross-promotional rivalry with UFC bantamweight champ Sean O’Malley that has been brewing of late.
“Who gives a sh*t? Right now I’m not really thinking about too much. I’m in Vegas any time, if he wants to come get some work in, or anybody else at that,” exclaimed Mix. “We can do it.”
Watch the full Bellator Paris post-fight press scrum with Patchy Mix above.
