Ricky Bandejas vs. Patrick Mix title bout slated for ROC 59

Head coach Nick Catone (left) with Rick Bandejas (right). (Photo Credit: Nick Catone).

 

Ricky Bandejas (8-1 MMA, 0-0 ROC) will face undefeated prospect Patrick Mix (3-0 MMA, 0-0 ROC) for the inaugural Ring of Combat regional bantamweight title at ROC 59 inside the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey June 2, 2017.

Set to fight Corey Simmons for the belt at Ring of Combat 58 Feb. 24, 2017, Bandejas pulled out the day before due to a undisclosed injury. In his most recent outing Oct. 19, 2016, the 25-year-old earned a unanimous decision against Miguel Restrepo at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 61.

Bandejas’ bout against Mix will mark his first bout outside of the CFFC promotion. The Brick, New Jersey native is currently riding a three-fight win streak with a first-round submission over Tony Gravely and a unanimous decision win against Jordan Morales.

In his first and only loss of his career, Bandejas challenged former UFC fighter and current CFFC Bantamweight Champion Nick Pace at CFFC 52. He fell short after tapping to a rear-naked choke in the opening round Oct. 31, 2015.

He is the owner of four finishes, with three of them by submission.

Like Bandejas, Mix will make his ROC debut in June. Mix is a two-time King of the Cage veteran.

In his last bout at KOTC: Raw Deal, he stopped Al Martinez Jr. with a RNC at 51 seconds into the first round Feb. 25, 2017. In the 23-year-old’s previous bout, he earned another first-round RNC finish against Noel Arcibal Jr. at KOTC: National Dispute Sept. 24, 2016.

His only decision came in his professional debut when he earned the judges’ nod after facing Tobiaus Taylor at Prodigy MMA Fighting Championship: Resurrection May 25, 2016.

This is Mix’s first title defense and first fight in New Jersey. Bandejas vs. Mix is one of five title fights on the card,

Headlining the event is a heavyweight title fight between the champion Shelton Graves (5-3 MMA, 1-1 ROC) and former belt holder Brendan “Brutal” Barrett (10-7-1 MMA, 5-3-1 ROC).

ROC Champion Julio Arce (11-2 MMA, 8-2 ROC) will defend his strap against Pat Sabatini (6-1 MMA, 1-0). Lightweight champion Bradley “Featherstone” Desir (9-4 MMA, 3-0 ROC) will look to retain his title for the second time when he faces four-time UFC veteran Walon Lowe (16-7 MMA, 0-0 ROC).

Sidney “Da Gun” Outlaw (7-3 MMA, 2-2 ROC) wants to keep his belt as he faces Leon “Dynamaite” Davis (8-4 MMA, 0-0 ROC)

By NJ MMA News staff

Writing for NJ MMA New since 2011, Connor is passionate about covering local mixed martial arts. He graduated from Temple University’s School of Media and Communications with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. His love for MMA stems from his past as a high school wrestler and jiu-jitsu blue belt. Former UFC fighter Kurt Pellegrino coached Connor in his senior year of high school. He worked as a Rally Sports Desk report for The Philadelphia Inquirer and interned as a sports reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News.