Bellator MMA Returns With Bellator 242 on July 24

Bellator MMA is finally returning with new events later this month. The MMA promotion announced today that Bellator will return with Bellator 242 on Friday, July 24. The event will air on the Paramount Network at 10:00 pm EST. It will be held at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The fight card will be headlined by Ricky Bandejas facing former UFC fighter Sergio Pettis in a bantamweight main event. The fight will be a title eliminator for a shot at the bantamweight title. The card will also feature such fighters as Aaron Pico, Jason Jackson, Tywan Claxton, and Jordan Mein.

The fight promotion was recently forced to take a hiatus due the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Bellator MMA President Scott Coker said on the news: “On July 24, Bellator is back. I am thrilled to announce our return event this month at Mohegan Sun, which has always been an incredible venue partner for us. The team has worked tirelessly to make this show happen and I know the fighters are ready to compete. We put together an exciting card with great matchups, featuring some of our best rising prospects. We look forward to our fans joining us on Paramount Network for what will surely be a memorable night of action inside the Bellator cage.”

Bellator 242 will be closed to the general public, and no fans will be in attendance. Prelims will be streamed on Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel at 8:45 pm EST. Here’s the full lineup:

Paramount Network Main Card

Bantamweight Main Event: Ricky Bandejas (13-3) vs. Sergio Pettis (19-5)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Jason Jackson (11-4) vs. Jordan Mein (31-12)
Featherweight Feature Bout: Tywan Claxton (6-1) vs. Jay Jay Wilson (5-0)
Featherweight Feature Bout: Aaron Pico (5-3) vs. Chris Hatley, Jr. (8-2)

Youtube Prelims

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Logan Storley (11-0) vs. Mark Lemminger (10-1)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Raufeon Stots (13-1) vs. Cass Bell (5-0)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Steve Mowry (7-0) vs. Rudy Schaffroth (6-1, 1 NC)