Patrick "Patchy" Mix is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is the current Bellator Bantamweight Champion. As of December 8, 2023, he is #6 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings.
Mix was born in Angola, New York, a small village approximately 20 miles outside of Buffalo. Mix was born prematurely before his due date at just 1lb 8oz (680g).
Growing up, Mix was a lot smaller than other kids his age, Mix's household, consisting of his mom and three siblings, also did not have much money.
As Mix described his childhood, “We didn't really have a lot growing up, my mom had food stamps and stuff, I just remember various ways to get money. I'd sell my school lunch to get a dollar, I'd go and beat up another kid in an arranged fight for 20 bucks. I'd play football for 20 bucks. Then I'd go and buy bread, eggs and milk and stuff. We just had to find a way."
Mix began wrestling in the eighth grade, joining the Lake Shore High School wrestling team. With only 2 years of wrestling experience under his belt, Mix became a state qualifier in his weight class in the tenth grade, and in the process became the first wrestler from Lake Shore High to make the state tournament in over 40 years. Mix graduated from Lake Shore Senior High School in 2011, and his senior quote was "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Six minutes on the mat is all that matters."
