James Gallagher News

Natasha Hooper - December 9, 2019

Bellator fighter James Gallagher hopes Nick Diaz stays in retirement for good as he found his recent interview concerning. Diaz sat down for an interview with Ariel Helwani last month and hinted at a possible Octagon return against Jorge Masvidal (to avenge his younger brother’s recent loss.) As Nick Diaz is a figurehead of the sport that many younger fighters look up to, his demeanour was a cause for concern for the young Irishman. Gallagher said (transcript via Metro News):

Tom Taylor - November 21, 2019

This morning, Bellator bantamweight prospects James Gallagher and Mike Kimbel came to blows backstage at Bellator London media day. Speaking to MMA Junkie shortly thereafter, Gallagher gave his take on how this chaotic scene was sparked.

Tom Taylor - November 21, 2019

Chaos briefly broke loose ahead of Saturday’s Bellator London card, as rising bantamweight stars James Gallagher and Mike Kimbel nearly brawled backstage on media day. Luckily, the pair were separated by others nearby — including Bellator welterweight star Michael “Venom” Page, who battles short-notice replacement Gianni Melillo in the Bellator London main event.

Thomas Taylor - September 27, 2019

Rising Bellator star James Gallagher returned to the cage at Bellator Dublin on Friday — though not against the man he initially expected. When his original opponent Cal Ellenor was forced off the card, Gallagher was forced to shift his focus to late replacement, UFC veteran Roman Salazar. The Bellator Dublin card, of which Gallagher vs. Salazar was a part, aired live on Friday afternoon on the Bellator MMA app. Unlike the Bellator 227 portion of this event it will not air on tape delay later tonight.

Christine Allen - June 25, 2019

“I pulled out of the fight. I didn’t even wanna be here, I didn’t wanna train. I was in a bad way…panic attacks getting sick…and now I’m back, now I’m winning.” As I watched a very relieved James Gallagher retell his experience of severe panic attacks in the weeks leading up to his victory over Jeremiah Labiano at Bellator London 223, I was reminded once again of the fine line between success and failure, and the vital role that mental health plays in not only the outcome of a fight, but life.

Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019

Irish Bellator star James Gallagher has never shied away from a little pre-fight trash talk, and at the recent Bellator 223 press conference in London, he wound up swapping plenty of that with a teammate of his opponent, Jeremiah Labiano. The drama began during the press conference, when one of Labiano’s teammates began heckling Gallagher from the crowd. Gallagher responded with a firm lecture for his heckler, who he believed was one of his foe’s coaches.

Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019

Back in March, Conor McGregor announced his retirement from MMA. Many people believed it was only to keep him in the headlines and he would soon return to action. But, as of right now, there is still no word on if or when the Irishman will return to the Octagon. According to his teammate in James Gallagher, he believes the former champ-champ won’t return unless he gets what he deserves. What Conor McGregor  deserves, says Gallagher is a share in the UFC.

Tom Taylor - March 29, 2019

On June 22, Bellator MMA will return to the United Kingdom with the aptly titled Bellator London card. The promotion has already begun stacking this event, adding a trio of big names to the bill in Gegard Mousasi, Paul Daley and James Gallagher (via MMA Junkie). Gegard Mousasi will defend his Bellator middleweight title on the card, taking on the streaking Rafael Lovato Jr. This fight was originally expected to occur in June, but was unfortunately delayed when Mousasi sustained an injury.

James Lynch - December 19, 2018

If Bellator star James Gallagher had it his way, he’d be looking to avenge his only career loss against Ricky Bandejas on Feb. 23 instead of fighting Steven Graham. But according to the Bellator 218 headliner, Bandejas declined the rematch and instead took a fight against Juan Archuleta at Bellator 214. Gallagher explained the situation in an interview with Jim Edwards of MMANytt.

James Lynch - December 11, 2018

Bellator MMA announced in a press release that James Gallagher will headline Bellator 218 in Dublin, Ireland on Feb. 23. Gallagher (7-1) will look to bounce back from the first loss of his career as he’s set to face Steven Graham in a bantamweight bout. The 22-year-old is coming off a first-round TKO loss to former CFFC champion Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 204 in August. Losing for the first time in his career was especially tough for Gallagher who had engaged in a lot of trash talk leading up until the bout. The highlight reel head kick made it’s way on SportsCenter and did big numbers on social media.

Tom Taylor - August 21, 2018

Last weekend, on the main card of Bellator 204, polarizing Bellator bantamweight prospect James Gallagher was brutally knocked out by former CFFC champ Ricky Bandejas. In the wake of this loss, Gallagher has assured that his cocky attitude isn’t going anywhere. That being said, he assures he’s also determined to learn from the loss.

Tom Taylor - August 20, 2018

Over the weekend, on the main card of Bellator 204, outspoken Bellator bantamweight prospect James Gallagher suffered his first defeat. The polarizing young Irishman was abruptly snuffed by former CFFC champ Ricky Bandejas. Later that same night, Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell picked up a big TKO win in a featherweight showdown with streaking UFC veteran Noad Lahat.

Thomas Taylor - August 18, 2018

Last night, on the main card of Bellator 204, bantamweight prospect James Gallagher stepped into the cage with former CFFC champ Ricky Bandejas. Heading into this fight, Gallagher was as confident as ever. He even taunted his opponent as the bout was being announced. Unfortunately, the bout did not go as planned for the brash, 21-year-old Irishman. Instead, he was knocked out in the very first round, succumbing to a side kick to the face and a volley of followup punches.