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Bellator to return July 24 after 5-month hiatus

Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty

Bellator will return on July 24 with its first event since shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the promotion announced Wednesday.

A bantamweight bout between Ricky Bandejas and Sergio Pettis will headline the card. UFC veteran Jordan Mein will take on Jason Jackson in the co-main event, and featherweight prospect Aaron Pico will meet Solo Hatley in the main-card opener.

The event will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The promotion is hoping to stage additional events there on Aug. 7, Aug. 21, and Sept. 11, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

A rematch between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson is scheduled to headline the Aug. 7 card, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.

Bellator hasn't staged an event since Feb. 22. The promotion postponed Bellator 241 - which was scheduled for March 13 - due to the pandemic and canceled all others set to follow it.

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