Solo Hatley Jr. recently watched a promotional video for Bellator 242 when he saw his opponent flash on the screen. The video announced the return of rising star Aaron Pico – and that was it.
“When I saw that, I was like, ‘Wow, they really want this guy to win,’” Hatley Jr., who faces Pico on Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena, told MMA Fighting.
There are politics in MMA, Hatley Jr. acknowledges. The big names get preferential treatment in showcases. Their opponents are often cast as also-rans. When Hatley Jr. made his promotional debut at Bellator 239, it was the same thing.