BELLATOR WON’T STAGE its first Irish event until later this year but James Gallagher is adamant that the promotion will soon match the popularity of the UFC among mixed martial arts fans here.
Generally regarded as the most legitimate rival to the UFC’s dominance in MMA, Bellator will be at Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday, 16 December, as the US-based promotion continues with its plans to expand into new markets.
Having snapped up high-profile UFC fighters such as Rory MacDonald, Benson Henderson and Chael Sonnen in 2016, Bellator has been working hard to close the gap on the sport’s leading organisation.
Gallagher (4-0) is the key ingredient in Bellator’s plans for Ireland. The undefeated Strabane native, who recently turned 20, was being tipped to earn a UFC contract in the future until Bellator secured his signature earlier this year.
After making a victorious Bellator debut in July, Gallagher will be involved in the penultimate fight of the night in Dublin at Bellator 169, which will be headlined by a heavyweight bout between Muhammad ‘King Mo’ Lawal and Satoshi Ishii. However, Gallagher insists that he’ll be the main attraction on the night.
“Why would they have rushed this show in before the end of the year? Is it arrogant for me to say that it’s just because of me? People are going to say it is, but let’s call a spade a spade: I’m the one this is about,” said Gallagher, who was due to fight in Israel on 10 November before his next outing was rescheduled for Bellator’s Dublin debut instead.
“They pulled me off a card in Israel with just a few weeks to go, even though I had an opponent, and they stuck me in as the co-main event on this card instead. There’s one reason they’re coming here and one reason only, and that’s because of me. That’s a fact.”
Bellator held a media workout for Gallagher yesterday at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, as the featherweight prospect builds up to his December clash with Anthony Taylor.
Thanks to the success of the likes of Conor McGregor, Gallagher’s SBG team-mate, the UFC has experienced enormous growth in Ireland in recent years. Bellator has a lot of catching up to do if it wants to reach the same level of publicity and popularity, but Gallagher is confident that they can achieve it with him in the driving seat.
“Absolutely, 100%” he said. “I’m the man to bring it forward to the top. All the young people, my age group or whatever, they’re the ones who are going to be speaking about it. I’m going to make it into the star attraction, especially in Ireland.”
