Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Mario Bautista (red gloves) fights Patchy Mix (blue gloves) during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach Dismisses Patchy Mix Hype, Says Others Deserve Title Shot First

According to Merab Dvalishvili’s coach, John Wood, Patchy Mix hasn't done enough to deserve a title shot yet!

Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Mario Bautista (red gloves) fights Patchy Mix (blue gloves) during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Merab Dvalishvili is currently sitting pretty at the top of the bantamweight division, and everyone wants a piece of him. The Georgian fighter worked his way up through pure grit , determination and cardio.

But here’s where things get spicy. Patchy Mix has been making noise lately.The Bellator veteran has been turning heads with his slick grappling and improved striking. However, not everyone is buying into the hype train just yet. Coach John Wood, who guides Merab Dvalishvili’s training camp, recently dropped some truth bombs about the title picture. Wood knows the bantamweight landscape better than most, having worked with fighters who have scraped and clawed their way through the rankings.

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John Wood’s Respectful But Realistic Take On Patchy Mix

John Wood doesn’t mince words when it comes to fighter rankings. He gave Patchy Mix credit where it’s due, acknowledging that the former Bellator champion has skills that translate well to the UFC. However, Wood pointed out that Mix needed to prove himself against elite UFC competition first.

“Patchy is a great fighter and i personally like Patchy. He is very deserving of being in the UFC… If Patchy does go out there and walk through him [Mario Bautista] and sub him in the first round, I think you’re gonna start getting those talks. Maybe one, two more [fights], then he is there.”

Mix has looked good in his recent outings, but the UFC is a different beast. His debut against Mario Bautista will reveal his standing in the division. The coach emphasized that earning a title shot requires more than dominance in other promotions . It demands consistent wins against killers who have already established themselves in the division’s upper echelon.

John Wood On Cory Sandhagen And Petr Yan Being Next In Line

Wood firmly believes Cory Sandhagen deserves the next crack at Merab’s belt. Sandhagen has been dancing around title contention for what seems like ages, consistently beating quality opponents while coming up just short in the biggest moments. The lanky striker’s resume reads like a who’s who of bantamweight talent.

Petr Yan sits right behind Sandhagen in Wood’s estimation, and it’s hard to argue with that logic. The Russian has lost against Merab Dvalishvili, but has now revived his career with a 2 fight win streak. His boxing combinations are still one of the best in the sport. Wood argues that both Sandhagen and Yan have earned their spots through years of battling the division’s elite, not through cross-promotional hype or highlight-reel finishes against lesser competition.

“I think there is [Cory] Sandhagen, who obviously is the best, then [Petr] Yan. Those two guys are more deserving than anybody else.”

The coach’s message is clear. Mix can get his shot eventually, but he needs to wait his turn like everyone else. The bantamweight division doesn’t hand out participation trophies or fast passes to title fights. Wood knows that Merab worked his way up the hard way, winning decision after decision against increasingly tough opponents. That same path should apply to everyone, regardless of their background or previous accomplishments outside the UFC octagon.

(Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – X)

John Wood

Mario Bautista

Merab Dvalishvili

Patchy Mix

UFC 316

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!