This past weekend at Bellator Milan, James Gallagher (11-1) made a statement with his performance. The confident Irish bantamweight submitted a very tough and game Callum Ellenor (8-3) in the first round of their main event at Bellator Milan.
There was a lot of heat between the two bantamweights leading up to the contest. Gallagher shoved Ellenor at the pre-fight weigh in ceremony to draw up interest. Throughout the fight, Gallagher did a very good job of beating Ellenor wherever the fight took place.
Gallagher did a fantastic job of using his good kicks to keep Ellenor at range to start the fight. As soon as Ellenor tried to return a kick, Gallagher caught it and dragged him to the ground. That is where Gallagher completely took control of the fight.
Once the two were on the ground, it was all Gallagher. Ellenor tried to get up a few times, but ended up giving up his back to Gallagher. Once Gallagher has your back, you’re in deep trouble. The Irish bantamweight locked up a rear naked choke and won his fourth straight in the Bellator cage.
Bellator Title Contention?
Gallagher trains at the same gym as Conor McGregor, and he’s bitten off a little bit of that McGregor swagger. Gallagher was the hottest prospect in Bellator prior to him getting demolished by Ricky Bandejas back at Bellator 204.
That was a very humbling fight for Gallagher who had to refocus his career after that loss. Since that fight, Gallagher has gone 4-0 with three wins by rear naked choke inside the Bellator cage. After the fight, Gallagher said that he was coming for that bantamweight title.
Juan Archuleta just captured the vacant title with his win over Patchy Mix back at Bellator 246. Sergio Pettis is likely going to get the next shot at Archuleta. With that in mind, perhaps the promotion could book Gallagher against Patchy Mix.
The winner would definitely be deserving of a shot at the bantamweight title. I think it’s time for Gallagher to take that step up to really elite competition in the Bellator cage. It doesn’t get much better than top contender Patchy Mix.