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TOTAL NUMBER OF BELLATOR FIGHTS: 2,690
TOTAL NUMBER OF BELLATOR EVENTS: 244
Bellator MMA came back after five months away with a brief card full of intriguing style matchups. Proving that the promotion could successfully pull off an event during a pandemic, Bellator 242 featured the emergence of a new title challenger, an unusual date shared by two top-billed fighters and a heavyweight opener that traversed new territory for both men.
Just A Proof Of Concept: Friday’s lineup was the first Bellator event held in the continental U.S. to feature only seven fights since Bellator 44 in 2011. Multiple international cards may have put on fewer fights, but many were co-promoted with Bellator Kickboxing.
They Stopped This Mindless Violence: Although the billing only contained seven bouts, just three fights ended inside the distance at Bellator 242. Just seven Bellator shows have featured fewer stoppages at various events over the years, most recently at Bellator 191 in 2017, where two fights ended in finishes.
Pettis Pace: Sergio Pettis took home a clear-cut unanimous verdict over Ricky Bandejas in the headliner. Across his last 11 wins, 10 of those for “The Phenom” have come by decision.
Young Guns: Now at 30 years of age, Jordan Mein debuted in Bellator against Jason Jackson and lost a decision. The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce emerged on the major stage on Sept. 10, 2011, when he knocked out Evangelista Santos. Of the 13 other competitors at Bellator 242, the only fighter who was a pro at that time was Pettis, whose professional debut the same night.
By The Skin Of His Kiwi: Jay-Jay Wilson lifted his spotless record to 6-0 by earning a contentious split decision against Tywan Claxton. It was the first time Wilson had ever fought beyond 2:48 of the second stanza.
Pico De Ganador: Earning his sixth win as a professional -- all of his fights have taken place under the Bellator banner – Aaron Pico has finished his opponent within two rounds in all six. He has never needed to fight into the third frame, after tapping Chris Hatley Jr. with a rear-naked choke in the first.
Oh, Hi Mark: Making good on his organizational debut, Mark Lemminger pounded out short-notice replacement Jake Smith. Lemminger is the first fighter to ever finish “The Half-Black Attack” with strikes across Smith’s over six-year career.
Green With Envy: Snatching up the rear-naked choke in the third round, Raufeon Stots handed Cass Bell his first career defeat. The green-haired bantamweight had won all five before facing Stots, including four by stoppage.
Huffing And Puffing To The End: On the card opener, Ras Hylton and Rudy Schaffroth went the distance, and Hylton emerged the victor by unanimous decision. This is the first time either fighter had ever fought out of the second round as professionals.
Never Say Never Again: Coming into Bellator 242, Claxton had never lost a decision (seven fights), Pico had never won by submission (eight fights) and Smith (10 fights) and Schaffroth (eight fights) had never dropped consecutive bouts.