Richard Kiely Returns At Bellator Dublin, Meets George Hardwick

Photo Credit: Bellator MMA
Richard Kiely welcomes George Hardwick to the Bellator cage on February 22nd. in Dublin.

With the removal of two high-profile bouts from Bellator Dublin on February 22nd. - we get the addition of a 180-pound contract weight bout between hometown striker, Richard 'The Face' Kiely, and Middlesborough native, George Hardwick.

Earlier this week - news broke of the removal of James Gallagher from the event's headlining bout against Cal Ellenor due to a back injury - while fellow SBG trainee, Peter Queally suffered an ACL tear, forcing his withdrawal from a pairing with former lightweight champion, Brent Primus. The promotion has elected to instate a featherweight matchup between Leah McCourt and Judith Ruis as the night's headliner - and have recently added Kiely and Hardwick to the 3Arena bill.

Kiely, a karate practitioner - last featured at Bellator Dublin in September, losing via a first-round flying-knee knockout against Michael 'Venom' Page, while Hardwick will make his first walk under the Bellator MMA banner following a unanimous decision defeat to Madars Fleminas at Cage Warriors 109 in October.

Straight Blast Gym trainee, Kiely, signed with Bellator last year and made his promotional bow against Mickael Bucher, earning a first-round knockout in the process. The Dubliner was scheduled to meet with UFC alumni, Galore Bofando at Bellator London last June - but was forced from the tie due to injury.

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