Joe McColgan lived up to his name as "The SBG Hunter" on Saturday night at BAMMA 26 when he took a win from Peter Queally that would have handed the SBG fighter his UFC debut. 

At Thursday's press conference, Queally and John Kavanagh spent time convincing the gathered media that McColgan was far more than his 1-0 professional record. But when the first bell rang, the FAI fighter's pugilistic attacks did the talking for him. 

At the end of three rounds, McColgan's hand was raised, and although many expected Queally to run through him, it was no surprise to the victor. 

"I knew I could beat him, and I've known that for the last three and a half years," McColgan said after the fight. "Every time I've seen him fight, I thought I could beat him. When the opportunity came up to fight him, I jumped on it. I surprised everyone out there, but I didn't surprise any of my teammates." 

'The SBG Hunter' 

During his amateur career, McColgan's patent for beating members of Kavanagh's SBG team earned him the moniker 'The SBG Hunter.' Queally is the third member of the team he has beaten.

"I beat Levi Keogh about four years ago, and then I beat James Heelan when he was thought of as one of the best in the country. My mates started to call me 'The SBG Hunter' after that. 

"This is nothing I have against the team. I get on great with everyone on this scene. I was talking away to Artem Lobov after the fight too. There are no hard feelings. This is sport." 

Despite his claims of getting on well with members of the Dublin team, McColgan has set his sights on another one of the crew, Artem Lobov. 

UFC Belfast 

Knowing that a win over him would have been enough to see Queally graduate to the UFC ranks, despite his 2-0 record, McColgan believes he should be given the opportunity instead of the Waterford welterweight. 

"The best way for me to get into the UFC is to call out Artem," McColgan said. "I know he's one of the gamest guys out there. He'd fight anyone at the drop of a hat. 

"I might be only 2-0, but I've beaten a guy that UFC were about to deem good enough to compete in the Octagon. Only visa issues stopped Peter from making his debut against Tim Means at UFC 202. By beating him I have proven that I can compete at that level. Why not sign me up for a single fight and if I do well we can talk money and contracts after that?"

"I want Artem in Belfast; let's make it happen," he added. "I was talking to a few boys outside that said he was looking for a fight on that card, so why not give me the shot?"

McColgan made a name for himself on the amateur Irish scene before taking a break to focus on his education. Since taking pro status, he has beaten Tommy Hogan, a man who ruled the Irish amateur ranks for years, and now Queally, the man many believed to be Ireland's next UFC export. 

When asked what separates him from other fighters with similar records, McColgan said he believes his ability to stop takedowns from world-class opponents will provide him with a unique selling point for the UFC brass. 

"The difference between me and most of the guys getting into the UFC from Europe is takedown defense," said McColgan. "UFC could put me in against the wrestlers from Russia and they won't take me down. Credit to Peter Queally, he got me down tonight at one stage, but he's got a very awkward grappling style. With a more traditional wrestling style, I won't be put down. 

"I just work with Pat McAlister trying to take me down all the time in the gym, and that guy is an animal. That forces me to work on my jiu-jitsu. I want a pro boxing bout too. I'm ready to compete against any grapplers that want a match with me as well. I want to refine every part of my game."

By Peter Carroll