Patchy Combine is lastly a UFC fighter.
The previous Bellator bantamweight champion, who was nearly universally acknowledged as the highest 135-pound fighter exterior the promotion, has discovered a brand new combating dwelling within the UFC after securing his launch from the PFL this previous week.
He gained’t have to attend lengthy to make his debut with Combine scheduled to conflict with Mario Bautista on the upcoming UFC 315 card on June 7 from Newark, N.J.
The announcement was made throughout the UFC Vegas 106 broadcast on Saturday.
Combine involves the UFC with a outstanding 20-1 document together with 15 finishes alongside the best way. Throughout his run with Bellator, Combine took out fighters like Kyoji Horiguchi, Magomed Magomedov, Sergio Pettis and Raufeon Stots.
He’s at present driving a seven-fight win streak, which incorporates him capturing the Bellator bantamweight title and making a profitable protection in his most up-to-date outing, which truly got here all the best way again in Might 2024.
Combine had complained about his lengthy stretch of inactivity at PFL, and he ultimately requested his launch. The PFL finally complied after issuing a press release saying the promotion wouldn’t lengthen Combine’s contract and he was free to signal with one other group.
It clearly didn’t take lengthy for Combine to get a deal finished to come back to the UFC and he instantly soar right into a marquee combat in opposition to Bautista after his authentic opponent Marlon “Chito” Vera was pressured off the cardboard resulting from damage.
Bautista has gained seven fights in a row together with a cut up choice nod over Jose Aldo and he’ll look to provide Combine a impolite welcome to the octagon after they meet at UFC 316.
The upcoming UFC 316 card is headlined by a pair of title fights as bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili faces Sean O’Malley in a rematch whereas Julianna Pena places her bantamweight strap up for grabs in opposition to two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison.