Justin Patton ready to throw down in CFFC 149 rematch with Ryan Cafaro: 'It's going to be a banger'

Patton faces reigning featherweight champ Cafaro on Saturday, December 20, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Justin Patton bears no ill will whatsoever towards former opponent and current CFFC featherweight champion Ryan Cafaro. That said, "The General" plans on inflicting serious damage on "Korean Thunder" in their upcoming rematch given the stakes of the matchup and what impact it could have on his UFC dreams.

"It means everything, honestly," Patton explained. "It's like a chance to change my life – get on the big stage, like, make my name known and that I'm on a short list, that if they call me, I'll be ready, you know?"

Patton and Cafaro first crossed paths in 2024, when they faced off at an event on the Pennsylvania regional scene. It was the more experienced Cafaro who identified Patton as a potentially intriguing opponent and reached out to set up the matchup. Patton said he never hesitated with his reply.

"They call me to fight someone, I've never said no to anyone," Patton said. "Like the first time me and Ryan fought, it was actually he sent something on Instagram, and it wasn't disrespectful. He's a very respectful dude, but he said, 'I would be honored to share the cage with you,' or he wants to share the cage with me.

"My coach would be like, 'Do you really want this fight?' I'm like, 'Yeah, dude. He called me out.' Not that he called me out disrespectfully, but he called me out. Yeah, we're going to fight. You don't get to the top by ducking and hiding and stuff. I'm willing to fight whoever, whenever."

Unfortunately, less than two minutes into their initial matchup, Cafaro poked Patton in the eye, and he was unable to continue. The bout was ruled a no contest.

"It was just starting to get fun," Patton recalled. "Even he said it – we were just starting to like heat up, and it was just starting to get going. Worst timing."

Cafaro returned to CFFC following the result, earning back-to-back wins and claiming the promotion's featherweight title this past May. Three months later, Patton made his CFFC debut, taking home a decision win over promotional staple Frank Wells.

That cleared the way for a potential rematch, and both Cafaro (13-6 MMA, 8-2 CFFC) and Patton (9-4 MMA, 1-0 CFFC) jumped at the opportunity. The two now meet in the main event of CFFC 149 on Saturday, December 20, streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino following prelims that stream at OnlyFans.com/cffcmma.

Both have said there's no bad blood between them, but each is hoping to but on a banger worthy of a UFC invitation. The CFFC title is meaningful, of course, but simple victory isn't enough. Patton knows what UFC matchmakers expect of athletes hoping to go to the next level, and style points are required.

"Put on exciting fights and find finishes," Patton said. "That's what they want. They want finishers."

In MMA, styles make fights, and Cafaro and have each made it clear that on an absolutely stacked night of championship matchups, they intend to stand out. So from Patton's perspective, you just might want to make it a point to tune in.

"It's going to be a banger," Patton said. "Fireworks."