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From Angola to the Octagon; former wrestler moves to the MMA national stage

Posted at 8:50 PM, Nov 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-21 21:45:46-05

“When you get to interact with Pat…he’s a very soft spoken, quiet guy, and for me it’s like he must totally flip the switch from when he goes from here coaching student athletes and goes in that octagon.”

Athletic director at Sweet Home Matt LaRoach says when he hired another wrestling coach 4 years ago, he didn’t realize just how big of a deal his new coach was.

Patrick Mix, the 25 year old coach, grew up in the section 6 wrestling program - where he now teaches others.

He says that’s the reason he keeps coming back to the area despite his rise to fame.

“This is what I’ve been doing since I was a kid throughout my winters so I enjoy again being able to spend that with the wrestling community with the kids and just helping them grow.”

“He is able to convey the skills, he’s able to motivate kids, and so many times I just look at him and I’m like hey, I would not want to make him mad,” said LaRoach.

But today…he is the undefeated, King of the Cage bantamweight MMA world champion.

Some big recognition for the Angola native.

He ended up at Sweet Home because that’s where his coach works. 

Don Lilly has been with Mix for the past 10 years.

“When he’s coach mix, he’s here he’s helping the kids and when it’s fight night pat mix His nickname is no love so he’s gotta have that mindset of no love when he goes in the cage and goes after guys.”

Mix says he’s currently working with his managers to negotiate a UFC fight early next year.

Email Madison at madison.carter@wkbw.com, and keep up with her latest posts and stories on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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