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James Gallagher pictured at yesterday's media workout at SBG Ireland ahead of his bout at Bellator 169 on 16 December.

Gallagher vows to elevate Bellator to the same level as the UFC in Ireland

The undefeated SBG fighter believes he can make the US promotion a household name here.

BELLATOR WON’T STAGE its first Irish event until later this year but James Gallagher is adamant that the promotion will soon match the popularity of the UFC among mixed martial arts fans here.

Generally regarded as the most legitimate rival to the UFC’s dominance in MMA, Bellator will be at Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday, 16 December, as the US-based promotion continues with its plans to expand into new markets.

Having snapped up high-profile UFC fighters such as Rory MacDonald, Benson Henderson and Chael Sonnen in 2016, Bellator has been working hard to close the gap on the sport’s leading organisation.

Gallagher (4-0) is the key ingredient in Bellator’s plans for Ireland. The undefeated Strabane native, who recently turned 20, was being tipped to earn a UFC contract in the future until Bellator secured his signature earlier this year.

After making a victorious Bellator debut in July, Gallagher will be involved in the penultimate fight of the night in Dublin at Bellator 169, which will be headlined by a heavyweight bout between Muhammad ‘King Mo’ Lawal and Satoshi Ishii. However, Gallagher insists that he’ll be the main attraction on the night.

“Why would they have rushed this show in before the end of the year? Is it arrogant for me to say that it’s just because of me? People are going to say it is, but let’s call a spade a spade: I’m the one this is about,” said Gallagher, who was due to fight in Israel on 10 November before his next outing was rescheduled for Bellator’s Dublin debut instead.

“They pulled me off a card in Israel with just a few weeks to go, even though I had an opponent, and they stuck me in as the co-main event on this card instead. There’s one reason they’re coming here and one reason only, and that’s because of me. That’s a fact.”

Bellator held a media workout for Gallagher yesterday at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, as the featherweight prospect builds up to his December clash with Anthony Taylor.

Thanks to the success of the likes of Conor McGregor, Gallagher’s SBG team-mate, the UFC has experienced enormous growth in Ireland in recent years. Bellator has a lot of catching up to do if it wants to reach the same level of publicity and popularity, but Gallagher is confident that they can achieve it with him in the driving seat.

“Absolutely, 100%” he said. “I’m the man to bring it forward to the top. All the young people, my age group or whatever, they’re the ones who are going to be speaking about it. I’m going to make it into the star attraction, especially in Ireland.”

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    Mute John Carroll
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:45 PM

    This is a poorly managed Cork team with a ref that has given them nothing and they find themselves level against supposedly the fourth best team in the country, imagine what they might do with good management support and fair break from the refree.

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    Mute Kevin Gallagher
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:53 PM

    @John Carroll: if they’re bringing the supposedly fourth best team in Ireland to extra time the management can’t be that bad? Or are you saying both Mayo and Cork are just shit teams?

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:29 PM

    @Kevin Gallagher: well two poor teams but the ref was shocking

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    Mute Kevin Gallagher
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:33 PM

    @Tim Brennan: was it? What major incidents did he get wrong?

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:42 PM

    @Kevin Gallagher: take a look at killian o connors pull back on cadogan and he knew he would have to black carded him and considered his contribution to the scoreboard it would have limited Mayo all in all Kerry will hammer the winner . Football refs are completely inconsistent and that’s the problem. What he gave as frees for mayo he ignored for Cork. Cork got one free inside the 35 meter line

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    Mute Kevin Gallagher
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:47 PM

    @Tim Brennan: I don’t disagree that refs are inconsistent, but that wasn’t why Cork lost the game. They had plenty of goal chances to
    finish Mayo off in normal time. Also, you could argue back and forth all evening on what the ref got right or wrong for Mayo and Cork. He missed Keegan being pulled back before his trip for a black card (and rightly should’ve been black carded), etc etc.
    Also, you can’t seriously argue that Mayo are a shit team?

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:56 PM

    @Kevin Gallagher: clearly Mayo are not a shite team but I don’t believe this team is capable of winning an all Ireland. They have been robbed of their chance to win and refs in gaa favour the top teams as their ultimate prize is the ref an all ireland- and you know full well that poor refs have cost Mayo dearly. Cork have no excuses and a management that put Alan o Connor on the field tells everything about their vision
    For cork football – he gave away 2 needless frees and could not run

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    Mute John Carroll
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 9:16 PM

    @Kevin Gallagher:What i am saying is Cork should be well capable of beating Mayo who are supposedly the fourth best team around and with better management they could do it.For starters Alan o connor has been a huge servant to Cork football but only a group of idiots would have him on a senior inter county panel at this stage of his career.I could go on and on but why bother ….

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    Mute IrishOwl
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:35 PM

    Referee keeping Mayo players on the pitch here…….

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:42 PM

    @IrishOwl: I don’t know how Keegan managed to stay on there.

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:28 PM

    @Dave Murray: cork footballers shafted by a northern ref again

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    Mute Timmy O Sullivan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:29 PM

    Blew up early

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    Mute John Kinsella
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:32 PM

    @Timmy O Sullivan: As a neutral I thought the officials were very harsh on Cork the whole game.

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    Mute Sean O Draighneain
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    Jul 23rd 2017, 7:53 AM

    @John Kinsella: I second that. Seemed to be a lot harder for cork to get frees

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    Mute Enda McCallion
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:38 PM

    Should be easy for Mayo. A 5 point victory I predict.

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    Mute Dec
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:42 PM

    Jesus, I’m a mayo supporter and I don’t know if I’m that confident! I think if we take cork for granted we could get punished!

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    Mute Turk Oneeighttwo
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:54 PM

    @Dec: Southern opposition often pose problems for Mayo but Mayo should have enough to beat the Cork buys

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    Mute Finbarr Lucey
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:46 PM

    @Enda McCallion: not that easy so far

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    Mute Hello there friend
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:26 PM

    Why is it not on TV?

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    Mute Alan Rothwell
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:28 PM

    @Hello there friend: It was on Sky

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    Mute Finbarr Lucey
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:45 PM

    Hope Cork can finish it in extra time. Great stuff so far being the under dogs. Go on the rebels.

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    Mute Mark Fitzgerald
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:28 PM

    Great effort from cork but that ref was atrocious.

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    Mute Aidan O
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:54 PM

    Free streams ?

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:42 PM

    Cork should have won in 70 minutes, missed some gilt-edged chances. Fancy Mayo to finish stronger in the extra time. Great game for the neutral.

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:27 PM

    What a match. I’d say both sets of players are wrecked.

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    Mute Dec
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:34 PM

    I don’t disagree but Mayo could say the same thing after leading by 7. To be fair, corks first goal was savage, I’m relieved more than happy after that win

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:42 PM

    One thing i will say, Mayo are brilliant supporters. Huge numbers follow the team around. That was a very poor turnout for the Cork footballers, those lads deserve better.

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    Mute Anton Friendo
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:31 PM

    Ref won it for mayo

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    Mute Dec
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:37 PM

    Don’t disagree but I’ve seen it go the other way for us. Might not be as lucky the next game. Need to up our game in a massive way. Will make it no more than the semi’s this year though(if we up our game!!)

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    Mute John Carroll
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 5:55 PM

    Cork doing ok so far up to HT, and are unlucky to be three behind .I suppose it would have been crazy to expect anything from the refree as some of his calls have been poor and mainly against Cork.If they are to stay in this game they will have to push up and are very likely to be caught at the back then.

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    Mute Maurice Cott
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:43 PM

    What tv channel is it on ?

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    Mute IrishOwl
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:58 PM

    A hope and a prayer for Cork.

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    Mute Colm Buckley
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:48 PM

    Mayo are gone

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:16 PM

    @Colm Buckley: back in front

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    Mute Tom Keane
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 8:01 PM

    @Colm Buckley:
    Gone through to the next round it seems

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    Mute Finbarr Lucey
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:27 PM

    Well done to both teams.

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    Mute John Ryan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:22 PM

    Big crowd there ….around 45 thousand I’d say. A day that will resonate through the ages

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    Mute Enda McCallion
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:45 PM

    @John Ryan: What?

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    Mute John Dixon
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:53 PM

    Can’t see anything other than a Mayo win

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    Mute Camroc
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:53 PM

    The myth of David Clarke continues. His kickouts continue to be a liability. Best keeper in the land my arse.
    Mayo forwards’ shooting has been excellent. Gotta love Andy Moran – absolute legend. Not sure how Cork are still in this, offering up far too many chances.

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    Mute John Carroll
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:29 PM

    @Camroc: Not sure what your watching kid but both teams at the very least deserved a second day out.

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    Mute Camroc
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    Jul 23rd 2017, 1:14 AM

    @John Carroll: Did you reply to the wrong comment?

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    Mute ryan o sullivan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:54 PM

    That was at 7 down and playing awful. Fair play to them they are putting a great show. Hope they win it

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    Mute Maurice Cott
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:42 PM

    What channel is it on?

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    Mute David Higginbotham
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 4:52 PM

    @Maurice Cott: sky sports arena 408

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    Mute 42 major trophies
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:36 PM

    Well done mayo

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:27 PM

    The untouchable ref rode the arse off Cork and his love in with Aidan o Shea – Gaa ref are unbelievably bad

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    Mute Joe L
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 8:06 PM

    Brannigan is as bad at referring as he is at doing linesman!

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 5:58 PM

    36 mins in and cork already half way through their subs

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    Mute IrishOwl
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 5:27 PM

    Jesus… are they wearing slippers or what ???? FFS. Change em !!!!!

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    Mute Fionn Falcao
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:11 PM

    If we (cork) win this, is it defo the rossies next?

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:00 PM

    Kerrigan is a liability and cork are lame ducks

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    Mute Hello there friend
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:29 PM

    Why wasn’t it on tv

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 7:47 PM

    @Hello there friend: it was on sky

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 5:41 PM

    looks like this is running away from cork

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    Mute ryan o sullivan
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:07 PM

    Jesus cork are dirt

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    Mute Finbarr Lucey
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    Jul 22nd 2017, 6:50 PM

    @ryan o sullivan: ???

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    Mute conor foley
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    Jul 23rd 2017, 1:49 PM

    K

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