Ricky Bandejas believes Pettis win will lead to big opportunities.
A fan favorite in the promotion, and for good reason, Ricky Bandejas is happy to be back in the Bellator cage. A winner of two straight via finish, Bandejas is looking to add Sergio Pettis’ impressive name to his recent victories. With a vacant title in the bantamweight division, a win could go a long way. The pair face off at Bellator 242 this Friday.
“I’m super excited. I hope to keep the knockout streak going,” Bandejas told media outlets including Cageside Press this week. “Fighting a guys like Pettis, huge name, I hope this will push me further ahead in the division.”
“Just another name with a big following, hype, and hopefully put an end to that,” he added.
Bandejas has derailed a hype train before. The Irish phenom, James Gallagher, a teammate of Conor McGregor, was knocked out by Bandejas when the two fought at Bellator 204. Bandejas is also open to a rematch with Gallagher, on his home turf.
“Beat Pettis then a rematch with Gallagher, in Ireland, headlining, I think that’d be great,” Bandejas suggested. “I think a lot of people would want to see that, and it’s only going to help my stock.”
Bandejas trains full time at American Top Team in Coconut Creek Florida. One of the most talented gyms in the world with former champions and top contenders walking through the doors. Bandejas has great minds and fighting styles at his disposal in Florida.
Training with UFC fighter Randy Costa ahead of this fight has been one plus. “It’s awesome, a guy like Randy [Costa], he’s really talented, he’s good. He fights like Pettis,” Bandejas told the media. “Having a gym like this, you can get any style that you’re going to have in an opponent. So that helps. Just to mix is up with the best guys in the world, that’s a positive.”
Bandejas believes he is ready for the ultimate test in an opponent like Sergio Pettis. The former UFC vet has fought some of the best names in the world and at only 26 years old has a lot of experience under his belt. Bandejas feels he is ready for this.
“He’s fought some of the best guys in the world. It’s a test, I’m excited,” he said. “Only his second fight in Bellator so I’m definitely excited for this test. I’m ready for this main card spot, ready for whatever happens.”
Bellator 242 goes down Friday, July 24 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The main card airs live on Paramount Network and DAZN.
