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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Farah Hannoun

Ali Abdelaziz: ‘Gifted’ Patchy Mix arguably the best bantamweight in the world

Ali Abdelaziz agrees with Patchy Mix claiming stake as the No. 1 bantamweight in the world.

Abdelaziz, of Dominance MMA, represents Mix (18-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA), who captured the interim title by knocking out Raufeon Stots with a vicious knee in Round 1 at Bellator 295, winning the bantamweight grand prix and $1 million prize.

After the win, Mix declared himself as the best bantamweight in the sport –and Abdelaziz agrees.

“Right now, before Henry is competing (and he’s) back in the competition, I believe (Mix) is the best bantamweight on the planet,” Abdelaziz told The Schmo. “I see him training with guys. I seen what he do with guys. To welterweight, middleweight, featherweight, to flyweight. This guy, he’s so gifted. And he does one thing so well, you can’t stop it. He’s one of my hardest grapplers around and I grapple with many world champions. He’s just something special.

“And I think Bellator can claim now that they have the best 135-pounder in the world. They can. Because I think Patrick Mix is dangerous everywhere. And we seen what he did to Stots. Stots is one of the guys that’s hard to do things on and he knocked him out with a knee. This thing went viral and people finally realized that Patrick Mix arguably is the best bantamweight in the world.”

Mix will face the winner of the bantamweight title fight on June 16 at Bellator 297 between champion Sergio Pettis and featherweight champ Patricio Freire, who will look to win a title in a third division when he drops to 135 pounds.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.

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