Bellator is making it’s long-awaited return tonight. No fight island was needed as Bellator 242 will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Though there are only seven matches, all seven have the potential to be great fights.
The main event will see Sergio Pettis (19-5) take on Ricky Bandjeas (13-3) in a bantamweight match that could see the winner have strong contention in the title picture.
The co-main event will see UFC and Strikeforce veteran Jordan Mein (31-12) take on the Jamaican born “Ass-Kicking Machine” Jason Jackson (11-4) in the welterweight division. Mein is making his debut for Bellator. Jackson is coming off a dominant win against Kiichi Kunimoto.
The other two main card fights will see the return of fan-favorite Tywan Claxton (6-1) taking on the undefeated New Zealander Jay Jay Wilson (5-0). This is a featherweight match up but Wilson did not make weight. He weighed in at 147.9 pounds. Claxton was not happy and was talking trash to Wilson at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Opening the main card, freestyle wrestling champion Aaron Pico (5-3) looks to get his second win in 2020 when he takes on Solo Hatley Jr. (8-2) in the featherweight class.
The preliminary portion will feature Jake Smith (7-3) vs. Mark Lemminger (10-1) at welterweight. Smith is replacing Logan Storley who was injured and could not compete. Raufeon Stots (13-1) is taking on Cass Bell (5-0) in the bantamweight division. At heavyweight, Rudy Schaffroth (6-1) takes on Ras Hylton (5-4). Hylton is replacing Steve Mowry who tested positive for COVID-19.
To see what the main card fighters had to say before their fights, check our pre-fight virtual press conference coverage. To hear what Ricky Bandejas had to say before his fight, check out our one-on-one interview with him.
Follow along with MMASucka as we provide you with the results throughout Bellator 242.
MAIN CARD (Paramount Network/DAZN – 10 p.m. ET)
Sergio Pettis def. Ricky Bandejeas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jason Jackson def. Jordan Mein via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jay Jay Wilson def. Tywan Claxton via split decision (30-27 Claxton, 29-28 Wilson, 30-27 Wilson)
Aaron Pico def. Solo Hatley Jr. via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:10 of Round 1
PRELIMINARY CARD (Bellator Youtube Channel – 8:45 p.m. ET)
Mark Lemminger def. Jake Smith via TKO (punches) at 1:46 of Round 2
Raufeon Stots def. Cass Bell via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:24 of Round 3
Ras Hylton def. Rudy Schaffroth via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
