Mario Bautista Deserves the Mic: A Star-Making Performance at UFC 316
It was a statement win against Patchy Mix for Mario Bautista at UFC 316.
Bautista had the tall task of beating former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix in his UFC debut at the New Jersey Pay-Per-View just over a week ago. The now #9-ranked contender accomplished that mission with a display of boxing that would make any coach proud. Unfortunately, his impressive performance has been overshadowed by the fact that he wasn’t given a post-fight interview after pulling off the major upset.
FightCourt Gives Bautista the Mic He Deserved
Din Thomas, who was on the analyst crew for the UFC that night, made sure to give Mario his deserved moment on the mic during Din Thomas’ FightCourt. Din even issued an apology on behalf of the UFC. We caught up with Mario to talk about the win, his frustrations, and what’s next. He wasn’t shy with his answers.
A Clinical Performance in the Cage
Bautista started strong, landing several right hands to the head and body early to keep Patchy Mix honest. Straight shots to the body are a great way to halt an opponent’s forward pressure while scoring cleanly with the judges. This fight also showcased how well Bautista sets up his body attacks and kicks with feints and movement. Mario was relentless—keeping the fight in his striking range with smart footwork, pressure, and angles that complemented his crisp boxing.
Where Was the Post-Fight Interview?
Like many fans, we waited to hear what the winner had to say after his dominant upset. But that moment never came. As I mentioned on the podcast, I even checked my phone to make sure I was still watching the main card. Mario still isn’t sure why the post-fight interview never happened.
“Maybe I was thinking like we go in the back and they say something like, ‘We apologize because of this time delay,’ or this and that or whatever it is. It could have been anything. It could have been, ‘Hey man, we just don’t like you, we just don’t want you on the mic,’ you know? You could have told me whatever and I would have been happy, as long as you told me something. But I haven’t heard anything.”
Bautista Shoots His Shot on FightCourt
Din gave him the next best thing: a real platform to say what he would’ve said. He gave Mario the opportunity to sell himself and position for the future.
“I wanted to get into that top five. Whoever was going to be in that top five—a win over any of them gets me into title contention… I like that Umar (Nurmagomedov) fight.”
When asked to be specific, Mario doubled down:
“I like the Umar one. I think that one shoots me to the top the quickest. You know, I was gonna fight Chito—he’s coming off two losses. I guess Umar is coming off a loss too… There’s still a lotta hype.”
What’s Next for Mario Bautista?
Mario Bautista is currently riding an eight-fight win streak. To put that in perspective, the only other bantamweight with that kind of momentum is Merab Dvalishvili, who has won thirteen straight. Most of the top contenders are coming off losses, outside of Cory Sandhagen, who is expected to challenge Dvalishvili for the title next.
As a top-10 fighter with serious momentum, Bautista brings a lot to the table in one of the UFC’s most stacked divisions. A bout with Umar Nurmagomedov would be an exciting matchup—and one fans would love to see in the coming months.
Catch the full Mario Bautista interview on “Din Thomas’ FightCourt” right here.
