With its season-long format, the PFL provides fighters with plenty of chances to compete. But that isn’t quite the same for Bellator champions such as Patchy Mix and Corey Anderson.
The PFL purchased Bellator in 2023, and both Mix and Anderson are starting to voice their frustration with a lack of opportunity. The next Bellator event doesn’t take place until 2025, and neither are set to compete then either.
Read More: 2024 PFL Schedule: Fight card, betting odds, watch times for PFL Season
Mix, the reigning bantamweight champion, has not competed since May. He was set to face Leandro Higo in November, but the entire event was canceled.
“I’ve been training my ass off for the last half of year for nothing,” Mix posted on X. “This is frustrating in the prime of my career and I’ve had my fight in November canceled? Then now again I’m behind told I’m off January Dubai card? I am the best in the world and I want to fight to prove it.”
Mix unified the titles in 2023 with a win over Sergio Pettis, scoring a defense vs. Magomed Magomedov via split decision. His lone career loss came in 2020 to Juan Archuleta via decision.
Corey Anderson ‘Aging Like Warm Cheese’ While Waiting For Return To Action
Like Mix, Anderson has also been on the sidelines for an extended period of time. He made his last appearance in March, winning the vacant belt vs. Karl Moore.
Aging like warm cheese over here waiting for PFL to give me a call,” Anderson posted on social media. “But don’t get it twisted…. we still ready to defend the strap against anybody! Young or old!”
The 35-year-old Anderson is a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter and went 10-5 for the UFC. He signed with Bellator in 2020 and faced Vadim Nemkov for the belt in 2022, losing via decision.
Anderson was asked about his decision to leave the UFC for Bellator. He stated that “everything” changed once ownership changed.
“I still stand by what I said,” he wrote. “When Scott Coker was in charge, the ball was constantly rolling, fights were booked and transparent with everything. Changed my life! Now, a year later, it’s a complete flip flop.”
He did earn a little shout-out from another Bellator champion, as Cris Cyborg posted she is “ready to defend.” Cyborg also stated she would fight on the same card as Anderson.
