The main event will be a bantamweight fight between Ricky Bandejas (13-3) and former UFC flyweight Sergio Pettis (19-5). Pettis said during an online press conference on July 22 that he was not immediately concerned about whether the fight would put him in contention for the organization's vacant bantamweight title and that he was focused strictly on Friday's event (a prepared statement from Bellator inferred that a title shot was virtually guaranteed for him if he won). Bandejas praised his opponent for being tough and well-rounded during the conference.

A welterweight bout between Jason Jackson (11-4) and another UFC veteran, Jordan Mein (31-12), will also headline the event. Jackson, who appeared on the UFC  Tuesday Night Contender Series, said during the conference that at age 29 he was in his prime and had learned from his previous mistakes not to let his next bout become "a rock-em-sock-em" fight. Mein will make his Belator debut with this event.

The main card includes two featherweight bouts -- Tywan Claxton (6-1) versus Jay Jay Wilson (5-0) and Aaron Pico (5-3) versus Solo Hatley, Jr. (8-2). Claxton expressed confidence that his wrestling would trump Wilson's BJJ skills -- "I'm a white belt that's going to kick your ass," he said. "He's never fought anyone like me. We'll rate his Jiu Jitsu when I'm on top of him trying to murder him....it's not a BJJ mtch or a wrestling match--it's a fight."  

Wilson, who is from New Zealand, added whoever was in better cardiovascular condition would be the determining factor. He expressed confidence in his standup game and described how he had studied kickboxing ever since he began with martial arts.

He also praised the training protocols that Bellator put in place for the event that included extensive testing and quarantine. Pico said the privacy extended to fighters during the protocols made him hope they would be extended.

Hutley admitted that he felt the marketing for the event seemed to place him under the radar compared to Pico, who he described as "a good fighter with a weak chin."

The preliminary card includes three fights. Logan Storkley (11-0) will meet Mark Lemminger (10-1) in a welterweight bout. Raufeon Stots (13-1) will meet Cas Bell (5-0) in a bantamweight bout. Steve Mowry (7-0) will meet Rudy Schaffroth (6-1 with one no contest) in a heavyweight bout).

Belltor's YouTube Channel will air the preliminary card at 8:45 p.m. and the Paramount Channel will air the main card at 10. The arena will not host live spectators for the event, according to Bellator.

All information on the current card and fighter records were provided by Bellator.