Just the Latest Challenge in a Division Full of Them for Ricky Bandejas

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During his five-fight run in Bellator MMA, Ricky Bandejas has faced some of the best talent the promotion’s bantamweight division has to offer. On Friday night at Bellator 242, his latest match-up sticks to that same script as he will get his first main event slot against Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran, and recent big-ticket acquisition, Sergio Pettis. While the 28-year-old doesn’t claim “The Phenom” is the toughest test yet of his Bellator run, he readily admits Pettis is just as dangerous as previous foes Juan Archuleta, Patrick Mix and James Gallagher.

“[Pettis] mixes it up just as well as them. Each of them have their own talents [and] they’re well-rounded. Pettis brings a lot. Just like Archuleta and Mix. They all bring a threat. In MMA, you can literally get hit with a punch or submission at any second, so everybody’s dangerous,” Bandejas told Sherdog. “He looks like he has real fast hands. And he goes quick for a lot of submissions. So he’s good at capitalizing on a mistake you make.”

In his conversation with Sherdog, the New Jersey native spoke in-depth about his upcoming match-up at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, as well as landing his first headlining spot on a major mixed martial arts platform. Plus, he talked about trying to avoid a positive COVID-19 test while training in Florida at American Top Team while virus cases surge in the state.