Bellator’s return following COVID-19 is near, as the promotion has reportedly booked a fight for a July 24th and August 7th show each.
July 24th: Sergio Pettis vs. Ricky Bandejas
Following his Bellator debut last January, Sergio Pettis is set to return in a bantamweight bout against Ricky Bandejas. The bout was first reported by Raphael Marinho of Combate.
Pettis was a longtime UFC fighter, competing in the promotion from 2013 to 2019. His Bellator debut came at Bellator 238 earlier this year, stopping Alfred Khashakyan in the first round with a guillotine choke.
Bandejas joined Bellator in 2018 and has since won three fights and lost two. His two-fight streak of wins includes a recent February bout against Frans Mlambo. The bantamweight previously fought extensively in regional MMA promotion CFFC.
August 7th: Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson 2
The 2016 fight between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson is set to have its second chapter written on August 7th. Reported by Raphael Marinho of Combate, the rematch will be attempted for the third time.
The matchup was first booked for Bellator’s show in Japan last December, but injury from Henderson took him off the show. It was rebooked for June, but like other Bellator fights it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Chandler’s last win came against the short-notice replacement for Henderson, Sidney Outlaw. Chandler finished Outlaw in the first round with punches when they battled in December.
Henderson hasn’t fought as recently, as his last fight was a decision win last December against Myles Jury.
Bellator held three events in 2020 before COVID-19 halted their busy schedule. Their shows before included main event wins from Cris Cyborg, Yaroslav Amosov and Leah McCourt.
