Bellator 173 took place at the SSE Arena last evening as Liam McGeary took on super late notice Brett McDermott in the main event.

McGeary was a massive favorite with the bookmakers, but it was McDermott who landed the biggest shot first as he put a big right hand on McGeary's chin to send him down to the canvas. The former light heavyweight champion was only grounded for a matter of seconds, but it sent a loud message the rangy Brit was going to have a fight on his hands. 

McGeary woke up after the big shot landed and recovered to unload a series of power shots and combinations on the veteran. McGeary landed a massive knee to send McDermott to the mat, but the brave 40-year-old somehow recovered and got back to his feet.

McGeary then used his jab to land at will, but just when it looked like McDermott was done, McGeary made a mistake and slipped back on to the mat.

McDermott followed him down, but it was McGeary who looked the more dangerous as he searched for multiple submission attempts as McDermott fended them off to the end of the round. The elder statesman fought well in the opening frame, but it seemed to be only a matter of time before McGeary shifted gears.

In round two, the result was academic.

After a minute of McGeary landing jab after jab after jab, the referee stepped in as McDermott's face began to look a mess. The doctor cageside stepped in and called the bout to an end. McGeary won via TKO doctor stoppage after one minute and six seconds of round two.

Gallagher sends the SSE Arena Belfast wild with fantastic performance

In the co-main event of the evening, James Gallagher put on a clinical display beating Krill Medvedovsky inside a round.

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Gallagher walked into the SSE Arena Belfast to the loudest reception of the evening with the crowd all on their feet. The man from Strabane took everything in his stride and he milked the applause as he wore the tricolor of Ireland on his way down the ramp. 

Gallagher then proceeded to put on a clinic as he used his boxing in the opening exchanges to land some good punches on Medvedovsky who seemed to hesitate more with every strike that landed. After two and a half of playing around with Medvedovsky on the feet, Gallagher went for the kill and the end soon followed. 

Gallagher took his man to the mat and proceeded to pierce through his guard like a hot knife through butter while raining down strikes. Medvedovsky responded by giving up his back at which point Gallagher slipped one arm under the chin. After a brief struggle the choke was in and the Israeli had to tap. With two minutes and fifty-two seconds on the clock, Medvedovsky tapped out and the SSE Arena Belfast went wild. The Northern Irishman then celebrated on top of the cage with the tricolor above his head.

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Speaking on the microphone after, Gallagher called out AJ Mckee calling him a p*ssy and telling him to take the fight.

Iony Razafiarison beats Sinead Kavanagh all ends up  

Elsewhere, Iony Razafiarison shocked Sinead Kavanagh by beating her convincingly across three rounds. Kavanagh simply had no answer to Razafiarison's takedowns and repeatedly found herself on her back in every round. The judges may have been slightly harsh with their scoring, but regardless, Razafiarison deserved her win. 

Bellator 173 Results: 

Liam McGeary def. Brett McDermott via (Doctor Stoppage), Round 2, 1:06
James Gallagher def. Krill Medvedovsky via Submission (RNC), Round, 2:53
Iony Razafiarison def. Sinead Kavanagh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Alex Lohore def. Colin Fletcher via Submission (RNC), Round 2, 2:42
Shay Walsh def. James McErlean via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)