Four Fantastic Fights Make Up the Main Card on Bellator 260

Bellator 260 Main Card Preview

Co-Main Event: Paul Daley (43-17-2) vs Jason Jackson (14-4)

The co-main event is one to feast the eyes on, with MMA veteran Paul Daley having his wish granted for someone to meet him at 175 pounds. Jason Jackson stepped up for the challenge, with the idea of a potential welterweight title shot in his mind if he wins this one.

Daley heads into his 63rd professional MMA fight against one of the toughest guys in the welterweight division. A challenge has never fazed Daley before though, with him facing some ridiculous fighters in his career. The Brit started his MMA career in 2003 and competed in kickboxing bouts around the same time.

Daley looks to put on a show, and his boxing style is certainly one we all want to watch. He has beaten the likes of Jorge Masvidal and Duane Ludwig when competing in Strikeforce. He was also involved in one of the craziest first rounds in MMA history against Nick Diaz, who eventually finished Daley with three seconds left in the round.

Daley joined Bellator in 2015, and since then he’s been involved in some electric fights. He won his first three fights in the promotion before eventually losing to Lima. If you haven’t seen Daley’s flying knee over Brennan Ward, make sure to check it out, as it’s visually stunning.

After defeats to Jon Fitch and Michael “Venom” Page, Daley has bounced back winning his past three bouts. He returned to the cage only two months ago at Bellator 257, when he knocked out Sabah Homasi in his first performance in a year and a half.

Jackson defied the odds against him and beat Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision to send a strong message to the all the welterweights division. Jackson’s takedown defense was strong, as Gracie failed in several attempts. The striking exchanges were in Jackson’s favor, and he also reversed some of the positions when Gracie initially had control of him on the ground.

Before Jackson sealed his spot in Bellator, he featured in three title fights in three separate promotions. In Victory FC, he won his first title by knocking out Victor Moreno after one minute and 55 seconds. Two fights later, he was competing for the Titan FC title against current UFC fighter Dhiego Lima. This one lasted slightly longer, two minutes and 10 seconds into the fight and Jackson via TKO. A split decision victory over Hemerson Souza seen him win the LFA welterweight belt to win his third championship.

After losing on The Ultimate Fighter Season 21 and Dana White’s Contender Series, Jackson lost the opportunity for a UFC contract. Jackson became a free agent and Bellator took the risk on him in 2019; safe to say that sure paid off. Since joining the promotion, Jackson has won five out of six bouts, with four in a row since he returned after having one fight in 2018. He now looks to make it five in a row at Bellator 260.

Aaron Pico (7-3) vs Aiden Lee (9-4)

Covid-19 pulled Aaron Pico out of the bout between him and Aiden Lee, which was originally scheduled for Bellator 257 in April. Fortunately for us, the fight was rescheduled for this weekend at Bellator 260. We finally get to see the exciting featherweight contest we’ve been waiting for.

Pico started his professional career with Bellator in 2017 and has been with the promotion for all of his 10 fights. His debut only lasted 24 seconds, but it ended in defeat, with him being submitted to Zach Freeman. That loss to Freeman was a lesson for Pico that was definitely learned that day.

The American showed his striking quality by knocking out his next four opponents inside the first round. His left jab has scary power, and he proved it with his first-ever victory over Justin Linn. After four victories, came the downfall for Pico with two defeats, where he was finished by Henry Corrales and Adam Borics.

It became seven out of seven finishes for Pico, with him finishing his next three opponents. Going to a decision is something that doesn’t even cross the mind of Pico, with him desperate to get that finish.

Lee is the taller, more experienced fighter out of the two, with him arriving on the Bellator scene in 2019 from Cage Warriors. The Brit submitted some tough competitors earlier in his career with his trademark move, the rear-naked choke. UFC featherweight L’udovit Klein faced the wrath of Lee, who choked him out in round one at Cage Warriors 87.

He may have lost the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship to Dean Trueman in 2018, but he is still impressed with Bellator snapping up him shortly after. His debut ended in defeat to fellow Brit Saul Rogers losing via unanimous decision.

Since then, he’s come away with two stunning finishes over Damian Frankiewicz and Jeremy Petley. These victories proved a statement that Lee was here to stay and challenge in the featherweight division. It seems to be a contest of striker vs grappler at Bellator 260.

Demarques Jackson (11-5) vs Mark Lemminger (11-3)

The first bout on the Bellator 260 main card presents two American welterweights looking to make a statement of intent in the division.

Demarques Jackson has been around the block competing in several different promotions as he looks for his first win since returning to Bellator. Jackson actually once competed in the promotion in 2018, beating Bryce Logan.

Jackson is a strong wrestler, with five submissions on his record, but he can also go to work on the feet. Even though he lost his chance at winning the LFA title, Bellator took the chance on him. Unfortunately, Jackson was defeated in his return at Bellator 257, with Grachik Bozinyan winning via unanimous decision.

Mark Lemminger is an extremely versatile fighter with four submissions and four TKO/KO’s on his record. Lemminger holds the height advantage, and he may look to capitalize on that on Friday night.

Lemminger was undefeated for his first seven fights before he was knocked out by Jason Witt. He was signed by Bellator in 2020 and entered the cage as a 10-1 fighter. An impressive debut saw him finish Jake Smith via ground & pound. He stepped up to a challenge a month later against Amosov. Unfortunately, the doctor stopped the fight after the first round due to a nasty cut on Lemminger.

Three months later, Lemminger competes again, showing his determination to get out there and fight. In a tight affair, Jaleel Willis edged the judge’s scorecards and beat Lemminger via unanimous decision. This fight is on the Bellator 260 main card for a reason, so make sure not to miss it.

Which fight are you most looking forward too on the Bellator 260 main card? Let us know in the comments below!

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Featured Image Credits to: Embed from Getty Images