SBG’S JAMES GALLAGHER has followed in the footsteps of his teammate Conor McGregor, by becoming the second Irish MMA fighter to win at Madison Square Garden.

Gallagher scored a first-round victory at Bellator 180, in the same venue where McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez last year in a UFC lightweight title bout.

20-year-old Gallagher made his mark in the New York city arena, by brushing aside the challenge of Chinzo Machida with a rear-naked choke finish in their featherweight bout.

Gallagher dominated his opponent on the ground and landed some bruising shots on Machida before the 40-year-old was forced to tap out after almost two and a half minutes.

The win brings Gallagher’s overall fight record to 7-0, and he called for a shot at the title immediately after the fight.

McGregor — who is currently preparing for a showdown with Floyd Mayweather — duly posted his congratulations on Twitter.

Speaking to MMA Fighting after the win, Gallagher said:

“I’m always here for the first-round finish. When it’s there, I come and do it.”

Bellator 180

• Chael Sonnen def. Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
• Matt Mitrione def. Fedor Emelianenko via KO (punches) after 1:14 of the first round
• Douglas Lima def. Lorenz Larkin via unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
• Zach Freeman def. Aaron Pico via submission (guillotine choke) after :24 of R1
• Brent Primus def. Michael Chandler via TKO (injury) after 2:22 of the first round
• Bradley Desir def. Nate Grebb via first-round KO (2:54)
• Anthony Giacchina def. Jerome Mickle via submission (rear-naked choke) after 3:40 of the third round
• Matt Rizzo def. Sergio da Silva via submission (arm-triangle choke) after 3:48 of the third round
• Hugh McKenna def. John Salgado via submission (kimura) after 4:06 of the first round
• Ryan Couture def. Haim Gozali via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 x3)
• Heather Hardy def. Alice Yauger via TKO (strikes) after 4:47 of the third round
• James Gallagher def. Chinzo Machida via submission (rear-naked choke) after 2:22 of the first
• Ryan Bader def. Phil Davis via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 49-46)
• Neiman Gracie def. Dave Marfone via submission (RNC) after 2:27 of the second round

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