Patchy Mix knew 'pull-out merchant' James Gallagher would withdraw from Bellator 258

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Patchy Mix is not surprised that James Gallagher withdrew from their planned matchup.

Mix was scheduled to face Gallagher on Friday’s Bellator 258 card, but Gallagher was forced to pull out due to a torn shoulder. Gallagher wanted the fight postponed, but Mix was adamant on staying on the card, so the matchup fell apart.

It was a pivotal contest in the bantamweight division as both young prospects are vying for title contention, but Mix (13-1 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) thinks Gallagher (11-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) purposely dodged him.

“James, no offense to him or to other people that have pulled out, but he’s a pull-out merchant,” Mix told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “He doesn’t know how to get to fights, and he’s pulled out of – I think between him and Cal (Ellenor), they have four pull-outs, and now this is going on another one, so he just pulls out of all the fights he thinks might be tough, so we’ll see.

“Very disappointing because he took the easy way out. He could have just went in there and rolled over and let me pound him and took the easy way out that way, but he didn’t even show up to the fight. News to me, I believe he’s showing up to the venue, so that’s kind of weird to me. He’s in Connecticut now, I believe, so he’s got a shoulder injury, but he’s not in a sling. It’s the craziest thing I ever heard.”

With the change, Mix will now face ex-UFC fighter Albert Morales (10-6-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and thinks with a statement finish, he can secure another crack at the title, regardless. If not, then he’s happy to get the Gallagher fight rebooked.

“I’m looking to steal the show Friday night,” Mix said. “The whole card is full of bantamweights, and I feel like I’m the best finisher on his card. I’m going to go out there and finish in spectacular fashion. I’m going to show my level. I’m going to show my experience, and I’m going to steal this show. With me doing that, I believe that I could earn a shot back with my rematch. I want Juan Archuleta, he’s the only one to beat me, and much respect to him for that, but I want to erase that loss off my record. I want to get that win back, and if it’s not him and it happens to be Sergio (Pettis), much respect to Sergio.”

He continued, “The title shot is in my eyes, that’s my main goal. Not James Gallagher. Had those fights not worked, I want to reschedule the Gallagher fight, and I want to get him the opportunity that he wanted to earn his shot at the belt, as well, because he believes that if he goes through me, he can get the shot.”

Bellator takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena. The night’s main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

To hear the full interview with Mix, check out the video above.