Bellator 158: James Gallagher Looking to Back Up the Hype
Bellator 158: James Gallagher Looking to Back Up the Hype
James Gallagher is figured to be the next big thing in Irish MMA and he'll be looking to prove the hype is real at Bellator 158
By Chamatkar Sandhu
Ever since Conor McGregor broke on to the scene and became the biggest star in the sport, Irish MMA has exploded with young kids flocking to the Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, Ireland hoping to join the team under the instruction of head coach John Kavanagh. The next wave of fighters is led by featherweight James Gallagher who recently signed with Bellator MMA and makes his promotional debut this Saturday at Bellator 158 in London, England.
“John Kavanagh is the one that got me the contract,” Gallagher said. “He came to me one day, saying Bellator were interested in me and the next minute I’m looking at my emails and there’s a contract for Bellator. Once I looked at my contract, it was a substantial amount that no man would refuse.”
The 19-year-old Irishman had an amateur record of 5-1 and as a pro he’s undefeated, but Gallagher started fighting at a much younger age.
“I had my first fight when I was 13 years old at my club in my local town of Strabane,” Gallagher said. "I didn’t start training with John until I had 10 fights and then he asked me to take 2 years out and wouldn’t let me fight again until I was 17.”
For the teenager, who is one of the youngest on the Bellator roster, the life of a pro MMA fighter is something he’s dreamed of for a long time.
“I’m loving it, I love fighting, it’s all I ever think about,” Gallagher said. “All I’ve ever dreamed about is to get to the top of the game. Now it’s there for the taking. I’ve never worked this hard before and I’m just having fun. All I’ve ever dreamed of is here and now it’s a reality.”
The bar is set high for any fighter coming out of the SBG team and when Conor McGregor is the benchmark, comparisons will be made, however Gallagher is keen to let everyone know how different they are.
“He’s the greatest fighter in the world and he’s at the top of the game,” Gallagher said. “I see what he’s doing and I’m going to try and do more. A lot of people say we’re very alike but that’s not true. I’ve been doing karate since I was a kid and now I’m very good at Jiu-Jitsu, I win a lot by submission. Conor came from a boxing background and he knocks all his guys out so our fighting styles are totally different.”
When you’re able to train with one of the best fighters in the world, the opportunity is there to not only grow your skill set but also gain some guidance on how to deal with the limelight the sport brings and if anyone knows a thing or two about that it’s Conor McGregor.
“Enjoy it, be yourself, that’s the message he’s given me,” Gallagher said. “There’s no set way you have to act or be, just be you. I’m just going to go in there and do me. There’s no need to act. I’m just going to embrace every bit of it, have fun doing it and be me."
The relationship Gallagher has with head coach John Kavanagh may be the most important at this stage in his life as he’s someone who is able to provide the teenager with coaching and guidance in and out of the cage.
“He’s a wonderful coach and we have a great relationship,” Gallagher said. "I’ll never be able to repay or thank him enough for what he’s done. He physically took me in and now he’s got me here. I’ve known John for 3 years, I’ve lived with him, he’s shown me the way and given me great advice. He’s helped me become the person I am today.”
For Gallagher the pressure is already on to lead from the front and give a glimpse into what the next generation of SBG fighters are capable of and that’s a responsibility he’s relishing.
“I’m the first of the new age,” Gallagher said. “I’m going to show what the new levels like. I’m young and got some new tricks. I’m going to show what’s behind me and what’s ready to come. I’m the first to break through but there’s plenty more to come.”
For now the task at hand is a bout against Mike Cutting which opens the televised portion of the main card. Coming off of three first round finishes, Gallagher is looking for another early night.
“He has a few tricks on the ground and he has a few shots on his feet but I feel like his timing is very off in every area and I feel he’ll break under the pressure I’ll impose on him,” Gallagher said. “I feel like the fight will end up on the floor and I’ll choke him out in the first round.”
If you look at his record you might be lead to believe Gallagher is a one dimensional fighter having finished the majority of his amateur and pro fights by submission. He’s quick to point out his all round game.
“I’m definitely not a one trick pony,” Gallagher said. “I’ll kick you in the face as quick as I’ll choke you out. I’ve got great striking coming from a karate background. They can try and stop me from choking them but I’ll happily watch them fail.”
Ever since Conor McGregor broke on to the scene and became the biggest star in the sport, Irish MMA has exploded with young kids flocking to the Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, Ireland hoping to join the team under the instruction of head coach John Kavanagh. The next wave of fighters is led by featherweight James Gallagher who recently signed with Bellator MMA and makes his promotional debut this Saturday at Bellator 158 in London, England.
“John Kavanagh is the one that got me the contract,” Gallagher said. “He came to me one day, saying Bellator were interested in me and the next minute I’m looking at my emails and there’s a contract for Bellator. Once I looked at my contract, it was a substantial amount that no man would refuse.”
The 19-year-old Irishman had an amateur record of 5-1 and as a pro he’s undefeated, but Gallagher started fighting at a much younger age.
“I had my first fight when I was 13 years old at my club in my local town of Strabane,” Gallagher said. "I didn’t start training with John until I had 10 fights and then he asked me to take 2 years out and wouldn’t let me fight again until I was 17.”
For the teenager, who is one of the youngest on the Bellator roster, the life of a pro MMA fighter is something he’s dreamed of for a long time.
“I’m loving it, I love fighting, it’s all I ever think about,” Gallagher said. “All I’ve ever dreamed about is to get to the top of the game. Now it’s there for the taking. I’ve never worked this hard before and I’m just having fun. All I’ve ever dreamed of is here and now it’s a reality.”
The bar is set high for any fighter coming out of the SBG team and when Conor McGregor is the benchmark, comparisons will be made, however Gallagher is keen to let everyone know how different they are.
“He’s the greatest fighter in the world and he’s at the top of the game,” Gallagher said. “I see what he’s doing and I’m going to try and do more. A lot of people say we’re very alike but that’s not true. I’ve been doing karate since I was a kid and now I’m very good at Jiu-Jitsu, I win a lot by submission. Conor came from a boxing background and he knocks all his guys out so our fighting styles are totally different.”
When you’re able to train with one of the best fighters in the world, the opportunity is there to not only grow your skill set but also gain some guidance on how to deal with the limelight the sport brings and if anyone knows a thing or two about that it’s Conor McGregor.
“Enjoy it, be yourself, that’s the message he’s given me,” Gallagher said. “There’s no set way you have to act or be, just be you. I’m just going to go in there and do me. There’s no need to act. I’m just going to embrace every bit of it, have fun doing it and be me."
The relationship Gallagher has with head coach John Kavanagh may be the most important at this stage in his life as he’s someone who is able to provide the teenager with coaching and guidance in and out of the cage.
“He’s a wonderful coach and we have a great relationship,” Gallagher said. "I’ll never be able to repay or thank him enough for what he’s done. He physically took me in and now he’s got me here. I’ve known John for 3 years, I’ve lived with him, he’s shown me the way and given me great advice. He’s helped me become the person I am today.”
For Gallagher the pressure is already on to lead from the front and give a glimpse into what the next generation of SBG fighters are capable of and that’s a responsibility he’s relishing.
“I’m the first of the new age,” Gallagher said. “I’m going to show what the new levels like. I’m young and got some new tricks. I’m going to show what’s behind me and what’s ready to come. I’m the first to break through but there’s plenty more to come.”
For now the task at hand is a bout against Mike Cutting which opens the televised portion of the main card. Coming off of three first round finishes, Gallagher is looking for another early night.
“He has a few tricks on the ground and he has a few shots on his feet but I feel like his timing is very off in every area and I feel he’ll break under the pressure I’ll impose on him,” Gallagher said. “I feel like the fight will end up on the floor and I’ll choke him out in the first round.”
If you look at his record you might be lead to believe Gallagher is a one dimensional fighter having finished the majority of his amateur and pro fights by submission. He’s quick to point out his all round game.
“I’m definitely not a one trick pony,” Gallagher said. “I’ll kick you in the face as quick as I’ll choke you out. I’ve got great striking coming from a karate background. They can try and stop me from choking them but I’ll happily watch them fail.”