The belt had been held by Kyoji Horiguchi, but he had to vacate it in November after needing knee surgery for a torn ACL. 

Archuleta, a former featherweight title challenger, drops down to 135 pounds for another crack at championship gold. He competes for the second time in 2020, defeating Henry Corrales by unanimous decision at Bellator 238 in January. Mix comes in looking for his fourth consecutive win under the Bellator banner, as he won those bouts all by submission in the first round. 

The winner becomes the king of the 135-pound jungle in Bellator and one of the overall best in the weight class.

Here is all you need to know about Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix.

When is Juan Archuleta vs. Patrick Mix at Bellator 246?

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
• Prelims: 8:45 p.m. ET
• Main card: 10 p.m. ET

Bellator 246 takes place Saturday night, Sept. 12. Prelims get underway at 8:45 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 10 p.m. ET. Archuleta and Mix should start about 11:30 p.m. ET, but the time depends on the length of the earlier fights.

How to watch Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix TV, live stream info

In the United States, the Bellator 246 prelims begin at 8:45 p.m. ET on Bellator MMA's official YouTube channel and on DAZN. The main card will follow live on DAZN and the Paramount Network.

In Canada, the prelims and main card are available on DAZN.

In Germany and Spain, the main card (4 a.m. CEST Saturday) is available on DAZN.

Find out more about how to watch on DAZN by clicking here.

Where is Bellator 246?

Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Archuleta has never fought at the venue but Mix has, winning by first-round submission over Isaiah Chapman at Bellator 232 in October.

Juan Archuleta record, bio

• Name: Juan Archuleta
• Nationality: American
• Born: Sept. 13, 1987
• Height: 5-8
• Reach: N/A
• Total fights: 26
• Record: 24-2

Patrick Mix record, bio

• Name: Patrick Mix
• Nationality: American
• Born: Aug. 16, 1993
• Height: 5-8
• Reach: N/A
• Total fights: 13
• Record: 13-0

Bellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix fight card

Main card

• Juan Archuleta vs. Patchy Mix for the vacant bantamweight title
• Jon Fitch vs. Neiman Gracie; Welterweight
• Liz Carmouche vs. DeAnna Bennett; Women's Flyweight 
• Derek Campos vs. Keoni Diggs; Lightweight 

Preliminary card

• Daniel Madrid vs. Pat Casey; Middleweight 
• Ty Gwerder vs. George Tokkos; Middleweight 
• Davion Franklin vs. Ras Hylton; Heavyweight