Bellator Dublin: The Wait is Almost Over

Bellator Dublin: The Wait is Almost Over

By Dan McConnell

It is now less than a month to the card that many UK and Irish fans, fighters and people like myself have been anticipating for quite some time. The excitement has well and truly begun. It has been over a year and three months from the Bellator banner has stepped foot in the emerald isle.

As an Irish MMA fight fan, it isn’t very often that the greatest organisations in the world get to put on incredible shows for us combat sport fanatics. As many know, the Irish nation is known for our rich boxing history in the amateur and professional ranks. Mixed Martial Arts is a new wave of combat sport that is sweeping the nation.

Bellator have made a real commitment to growing European and Irish MMA. The UK and especially Ireland can anticipate a much stronger Bellator presence, which is highlighted from the stacked card on the 23rd of February in the 3 Arena, Dublin.

SBG Ireland Head Coach John Kavanagh has been vocal in his excitement for the card

“This card gives me the same kind of feeling as the big UFC Dublin card, where we had a big Irish showing, and there was a great build-up and a great night. It really doesn’t do it justice to watch a Bellator card on TV, and the Irish fans are going to get a chance to enjoy a great night out!”

James ‘The Strabanimal’ Gallagher (7-1) will finally get his opportunity to head-line a home card. Gallagher was forced to withdraw from his Bellator 187 fight in Dublin against fierce rival AJ McKee, he will now take on American Stephen Graham (6-3) in his second bantamweight bout.

Straight Blast Gym Ireland’s Peter Queally, Karl Moore, Kiefer Crosbie, Richie Smullen, Leah McCourt and Richard Kiely will all make their Bellator pro debuts. While Sinead Kavanagh, Will Fleury and Paul Redmond make their return to the promotion.

Main Card
James Gallagher (7-1) v Stephen Graham (6-3)
Peter Queally (11-4-1) v Myles Price (10-7)
Karl Moore (8-2) v Yannick Bahati (8-4-1)
Sinead Kavanagh (5-3) v Olga Rubin (5-0)

Prelims
Kiefer Crosbie (5-0) v Daniel Olejniczak (3-2-1)
Will Fleury (4-1) v Shaun Taylor (8-1)
Ryan Curtis (4-1) v Luis Gonzalez (8-4)
Ian Cleary (1-1) v Micky Doran (pro debut)
Walter Gahadza (17-3) v Ruben Crawford (16-3)
Sam Slater (2-0) v Chris Duncan (3-0)
Paul Redmond (14-7) v Charlie Leary (15-9-1)
Richard Kiely (2-1) v Mickael Bucher (3-4)
Leah McCourt (1-1) v Hatice Ozyurt (2-6)
John Redmond (7-13) v George Tokkos (4-0)
Richie Smullen (3-1-1) v Adam Gustab (3-3)
Dylan Logan (2-3) v Andrew Murphy (1-2)