Chris Bautista is set to face former Bellator champion Patchy Mix after his originally scheduled opponent withdrew due to injury. The Arizona fighter had been preparing to take on Marlon "Chito" Vera when plans suddenly changed.
"I was happy I got the win," Bautista reflected on his previous fight that drew fan criticism. "The fans did not like it afterwards, for sure, and they were sending all their hate my way. But honestly, I just didn't let it bother me."
The UFC bantamweight explained how he handled the negative reaction by focusing on his support system rather than outside noise.
"People can say whatever they want, but, at the end of the day, it's just about your family and all your close friends. Those are the ones that really matter," he added.
After enjoying his holiday break, Bautista returned to training in the Arizona heat, only to learn that Vera couldn't make the fight. The UFC wasted no time finding a replacement.
"Chito got hurt and literally that day they were already working on finding a new opponent," Bautista explained. He noticed social media buzz when Mix was released from his previous contract, with fans immediately speculating about a potential matchup.
Interestingly, the new bout was confirmed within just 24 hours of Vera's withdrawal. Mix brings an impressive 20-1 record to the UFC, representing a significant challenge for Bautista.
Despite the last-minute opponent change, Bautista appears unfazed. In fact, he welcomes the opportunity to face such a credentialed opponent.
"I was excited that I still got a good name, a well-respected fighter, someone with a good record and it just wasn't going to be anyone outside the Top 15," Bautista said.
Can the Arizona native halt the momentum of the former Bellator champion making his UFC debut? The matchup certainly adds fresh intrigue to an already stacked division.
