Rising Bellator MMA featherweight star James Gallagher is considered one the top young European prospects in mixed martial arts. He’s also a teammate of Conor McGregor and just like the UFC superstar he’s known as much for his ability to talk as his fighting acumen.
On Friday at Bellator 204, the 21-year-old Strabane, West Tyrone native who trains out of SBG Ireland was served a slice of humble pie courtesy of opponent Ricky Bandejas.
Gallagher was looking to improve to 8-0 as a professional and his confidence was riding high heading into the bout.
Gallagher’s plans were derailed early on, however, when Bandejas dropped him with a right hand in the opening round.
Bandejas showed quality finishing instincts and didn’t allow Gallagher to recover, hitting him with some “sweet chin music” and a series of piston-like left hands that ended the fight.
“I’m still that cocky [expletive] I am when I win and I’m still that cocky [expletive] when I [lose],” Gallagher wrote on Instagram following his loss.
One day later, in a second Instagram post, Gallagher added: “I talked a big game and got the big fall, that everyone scared To do. If I hadn’t of talk none of you would be talking about me either. It’ll be the best thing that ever happened me!! I’ll take it on the chin ( literally) and move on. Hats off to my opponent, I show up fully prepared ready to go there’s no excuses. I’m going to bounce back from that loss and climb my way back up and become world champion. I woke up today with no injuries and with the people who care still around me. I get back to the gym put in the work and climb my way back. Nothing will keep me down! My spirit is bruised , never broken!”
Bandejas improved to 11-1 with the victory and extended his current streak to five straight wins.
Darrion Caldwell beat Noad Lahat in the Bellator 204 main event.
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