Bellator announced their seven-fight card for Bellator 242 on Wednesday, which is set to happen on July 24th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA without a live crowd.
The show is the promotion’s second rendition of Bellator 242, as it’s original date back in March was cancelled due to COVID-19. The main card for the show is set to broadcast on the Paramount Network, with the three-fight preliminary card available via Youtube.
The previously reported matchup between Ricky Bandejas and Sergio Pettis is set to headline the card. Per a press release from Bellator, the three-round matchup will be a “title eliminator” for the bantamweight division.
Pettis, a former UFC fighter, made his Bellator debut in January when he stopped Alfred Khashakyan with a guillotine choke in the first round. Bandejas has finished his last two opponents with punches.
Jordan Mein To Make Bellator Debut
Former UFC fighter Jordan Mein will step into Bellator for the first time when he faces Jason Jackson in the co-main event. Mein won his last two fights in the UFC, defeating Erick Silva and Alex Morono via decision.
Jackson has now fought in Bellator three times, winning in two of the showings. His most recent matchup was a decision win over the more experienced Kiichi Kunimoto.
Prospects Wilson and Claxton To Collide
Two Bellator prospects in Jay-Jay Wilson and Tywan Claxton will collide on the main card as well. Wilson and Claxton are two fighters who Bellator has backed since the start of their professional careers.
Having made his professional debut in Bellator back in 2017, Claxton has won five of his six bouts, the other being a loss against Emmanuel Sanchez.
Wilson has fought four of his five professional bouts in Bellator, being perfect thus far. His most recent fight was in January, where he caught Mario Navarro with an armbar in the second round.
Pico Returns Versus Hatley Jr.
Jackson Wink fighter Aaron Pico will get his next Bellator matchup on the main card when he fights Chris Hatley Jr.
Pico’s last fight saw him break a two-fight losing streak, defeating Daniel Carey in the second round with punches. Early in his career, the 23-year-old has spent his entire pro career with Bellator.
Hatley Jr. made his Bellator debut last February earning a split decision win over Gaston Bolanos. He had previously fought in notable regional promotions like LFA and CFFC.
Three-Fight Prelim Card
Bellator will air a short three-fight preliminary card on their Youtube channel an hour-and-fifteen minutes before the main card.
Bellator newcomer Mark Lemminger will have a tough challenge as he steps in against Logan Storley. Lemminger is on a three-fight streak of wins including a guillotine choke win in LFA. His opponent, Storley, has won all 11 of his professional bouts, with the past six in Bellator.
The undefeated Cass Bell will return against Raufeon Stots on the prelims as well. Bell has had a short yet successful career in Bellator, winning five times since his 2018 debut. His last fight was in December, where he went to decision for the very first time, defeating Pierre Daguzan. Stots’ last fight was a win, getting a unanimous decision win over Cheyden Leialoha at Bellator 236.
Looking to bounce back from his first loss as a pro, heavyweight Rudy Schaffroth will return against Steve Mowry. Schaffroth’s last fight came against Tyrell Fortune, who submitted him with a rear naked choke in the second round. Mowry, a still undefeated heavyweight will look for his fourth Bellator win.
Full Card
Main Card (10:00PM EDT) (Paramount Network)
Bout 7: Ricky Bandejas (13-3) vs. Sergio Pettis (19-5) (Bantamweight)
Bout 6: Jason Jackson (11-4) vs. Jordan Mein (31-12) (Welterweight)
Bout 5: Tywan Claxton (6-1) vs. Jay Jay Wilson (5-0) (Featherweight)
Bout 4: Aaron Pico (5-3) vs. Chris Hatley Jr. (8-2) (Featherweight)
Prelims (8:45PM EDT) (Youtube)
Bout 3: Logan Storley (11-0) vs. Mark Lemminger (10-1) (Welterweight)
Bout 2: Raufeon Stots (13-1) vs. Cass Bell (5-0) (Bantamweight)
Bout 1: Steve Mowry (7-0) vs. Rudy Schaffroth (6-1) (Heavyweight)
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