James Gallagher Suffers Back Injury, Claims He'll Fight Cal Ellenor Next
 |
| James Gallagher is still anticipating a clash with Cal Ellenor. |
Rising Irish talent, James 'The Strabanimal' Gallagher may have been forced from the main event of Bellator Dublin at the 3Arena on February 22nd. - but the grappler still has eyes firmly set on finally sharing the cage with scheduled opponent, Cal Ellenor, upon his return from a back injury.
The 23-year-old Strabane native was expected to meet with fellow submission specialist Ellenor last September when the promotion touched down in Dublin - until Ellenor was that time forced from the tie after a doctor refused to medically clear him to compete. Gallagher remained on the September 27th. card - submitting former UFC competitor, Roman Salazar with an early guillotine. Cal 'The Sunderland Strangler' Ellenor has since been medically cleared to compete - and was once again paired with Gallagher for a showdown later this month.
In a statement released on his official Instagram account on Tuesday evening. the Straight Blast Gym prospect revealed how a problematic back injury forced his withdrawal - but explained how he would face Ellenor in his next Bellator outing.
"I am absolutely heartbroken. I am out of my fight due to a back injury that has been going on for over 2 weeks. I always take the advice of my team and coaches. I will get stuck into my rehab and be back in there soon. And no I'm not letting him (Cal Ellenor) off the hook, he's next. 3rd time lucky for him. I'm made in adversity this is just another experience on this mad road I'm on. Thank you for the support as always and sorry (sic) let the people down who've bought tickets and @bellatormma down. I'll be in there soon. 🇮🇪 💚"
Gallagher has won his last three straight bouts under the Bellator MMA banner - submitting Stevan Graham, picking up a unanimous decision over Jeremiah Labiano and finishing the previously noted Salazar with a guillotine last year. Offensive grappler, Ellenor, made his debut for Bellator back in February of last year, earning a first-round rear-naked choke win over Nathan Greyson.
Bellator Dublin will now be headlined by a featherweight pairing of the surging, Leah McCourt, and Germany's Judith Ruis.
➜Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ross_Markey
➜Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RossMarkeyMMA/
Comments
Post a Comment