Bellator is back.
The ViacomCBS-owned MMA promotion will hold its first event in five months on July 24, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The main event for that card will be Ricky Bandejas vs. Sergio Pettis. News of the fight was first reported by Combate.
Bellator prospect Aaron Pico also is slated to fight on the card, sources told ESPN. Pico will fight Solo Hatley and former UFC contender Jordan Mein will fight Jason Jackson, sources said.
The original main event for that card was supposed to be Juan Archuleta vs. Patrick Mix for the vacant bantamweight title, sources said, but that fight was recently canceled after Archuleta was forced to withdraw.
The promotion is hoping to run several dates at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut: July 24, Aug. 7, Aug. 21 and Sept. 11. The final three are not locked in.
Bellator, considered the No. 2 MMA promotion behind the UFC, hasn’t held a show since Feb. 22. It was close to holding an event on March 13 at Mohegan Sun but canceled it hours beforehand after all major sports leagues shut down that week because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pettis (19-5) is 1-0 in Bellator since signing with the promotion following a six-year run with the UFC. Bandejas (13-3) has won two straight.