ONE OF THE world’s leading mixed martial arts organisations could be set to hold an event in Ireland in the coming months for the first time in its seven-year history.
Bellator, the most prominent rival to the UFC in the MMA world, says it plans to capitalise on the increasing popularity of the sport here by bringing fights to Ireland before the end of 2016.
The organisation, which is owned by US media giant Viacom, was established in 2009 and had previously focused solely on North America. However, this year has seen Bellator host events in Italy and the UK, with one also planned for Israel next month.
“I can’t talk in too much detail just yet but I think you’ll see us in Ireland sooner than you might expect. Probably before the end of this year we’ll have a fight in Ireland,” Bellator president Scott Coker told The42.
“As you know, Bellator is owned by Viacom — who owns Channel 5 and Spike UK — so I think that you’ll see us in that territory, [the UK] and Ireland, this year and you’ll probably see us there four times next year.”
Bellator has made significant progress in 2016 by snapping up several of the biggest names in MMA, including ex-UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and former UFC title contenders Rory MacDonald and Chael Sonnen.
They also made their first play for the Irish market by signing 19-year-old featherweight James Gallagher. The Straight Blast Gym product, who hails from Strabane and trains under John Kavanagh and alongside UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor, took his professional record to 4-0 in his Bellator debut in London in July.
“James is a young kid but we have a lot of faith in him that he will develop into a big star for Bellator all over the world,” said Coker, who’ll be in Tel Aviv on 10 November when Gallagher takes on Kirill Medvedovsky at Bellator 164.
“He’s a talented fighter but he also brings more than just fighting to the table. How he carries himself outside of the cage, he’s years ahead of his age in terms of how he handles himself. It’s really impressive for such a young guy. What he achieves will be up to him.”
Coker added that Bellator intends to increase the Irish presence on its roster: “We’re working with some of the top camps in the UK and Ireland in trying to find the up-and-coming new talent that will be the future of the sport. There are a lot of great fighters from that region and we’re always looking for the next guy or girl to bring to Bellator.”
Coker didn’t confirm any potential dates or venues for Bellator’s debut in Ireland, but with the UFC heading for Belfast’s SSE Arena on 19 November, the 3Arena would appear to be the most likely destination for a show of Bellator’s stature. However, a lack of available dates at the Dublin venue could prove to be a significant stumbling block.
lead by example captain robbie and stop waving your arms looking for fouls.
hush now less of that banter its all a bit of craic and a excuse to get pissed, have the faith there’ll be a few more sessions
We have kept the faith Robbie now get off your arse and repay it!!!
Would have more faith if keane was dropped for shane long.
He just doesn’t have the fitness, while longs height will Benefit that questionable long ball game we play. Unfortunately It looks like he’s starting, cox and himself were training together. Either way come on Ireland
agreed
Time for a reality check here…let’s face it, this Irish team does not have the required quality and technical ability needed to get the results we are all “dreaming” of. At best we are looking at 2 defeats and a draw…but we are there and let’s try and enjoy the occasion…
fk yeah we’ll have a pint, and hope they do well, but they’re awful, the worst team there. As for robbie, hes bloody RETIRED. la galaxy and some trite comment about it just being another game. They will give the ball to Spain again and again and it will b painful. As for people giving thumbs down to comments that aren’t hopelessly optimistic, cop on. You live in a corrupt boghole of a banana republic, getting all teary eyed about a couple of geezers kicking a ball about when your country was sold from under you by inbred turds. Y’all did fk all about that didnt you? Great guys to get behind Ireland when it costs you nothing. Stay in the cowardly herd with your coybig bs. Id rather see them lose and try to play than lose the way they did and will do.
Janey Mac is all I can say to that
I would b a fan of robbies but it’s not all about past achievements he’s not playin well a d should be on the bench
I’ll start too when your on the bench
Joke of a comment, we have very few players that have not only shown commitment to their country from the very start to the very end of their career, not to mention delivered as well when it matters. Keano is without a shadow of a doubt one of them.
Not saying that gives him automatic rights to a start, he knows that himself and said it two years ago. But facts are facts and he gets big big goals in big games.
One word – “Dream”
Well we got there and should be proud of that and as long as they are playing I will believe cmon Ireland I love this country
With a population of 4 million and a semi pro league we’ve always punched above our weight.
All the naysayers said we wouldn’t qualify, now they’re saying we won’t get out of the group, we’ve nothing to lose. COYBIG!
For you its just another game… Its a lot more than just another game to a lot of fans and home and especially away… u should run your socks off and do your best to get a result… at the end of the day it is 11 men against 11 men… i cant see why we cant get a result but we have to go into it with a good attitude and show no fear…. COYBIG
Exactly man.
The fans have more passion than the players.
The last game was actually cringe worthy and extremely frustrating.
They should be destroying themselves out there, giving the cliched 110%.
Robbies 300/1 to score a hatrick v Spain. I heard David Villa and Butragueno are 50/1.
He would have more chance of winning the lotto twice over..
Ireland will lose to spain and italy alike and will go home as predicted by me on th 19th june ,
If you predict it on 19th June it’ll already have happened – what black magic is this?
For everyone who are convinced ireland will lose. 2/7 are the odds for spain to win. You might have to give your bank 24 hours notice if you are withdrawing your life savings for a bet.
We’re still in with a shout i think…
..in 2016..
first you didnt want me to buy the pony, now you want me to bring it back. make up your mind marge…
The faith of what?