Patchy Mix is seeking new life with RIZIN.

Former Bellator champion Mix came into the UFC with a lot of hype, but wound up suffering two lackluster decision losses to Mario Bautista and newcomer Jakub Wiklacz. He was subsequently let go from the UFC.

Mix (20-3) is looking to start a new chapter by moving up to featherweight.

“My release, the process was, kind of after the last fight, waited about five-six weeks and then Ali (Abdelaziz) basically told me I was going to be released,” Mix said during a recent RIZIN press conference (h/t Body Slam MMA). “I started searching and thinking what I wanted to do with my career.

“I beat a lot of guys in other organizations, even this organization. But the main thing was to go up to featherweight to rebrand. I want to show Patchy 2.0. I haven’t had fun in a long time because I’m just cutting so much weight to make the weight.”

Mix will face Kyoma Akimoto (11-1) at RIZIN 52 on March 6 (March 7 local) in Tokyo.

“So, I think this transition is going to be important for my career, and RIZIN was a no brainer,” Mix said. “If they gave me a choice, I wanted to come here because I fought here in 2019 and it was amazing. So, I wanted to come back, I love the Japanese fans, I watched RIZIN for years even after fighting in it, so it was a no brainer for me.

“Then to go up to ’45, I wanted to attack the best guy in the world at that weight and I think it’s the champion, Razhabali Shaydullaev, and he’s the end goal. He’s the final boss in this, and I’m trying to take these young guys out, these prospects out, which I will, and I’m going to come for that guy. I’m different than anyone he’s fought, and I’m coming – so this will start it out.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Patchy Mix opens up on UFC release, move to featherweight with RIZIN