This was a bit bizarre.
James Gallagher is preparing for his second bout in Bellator. The 20-year-old SBG fighter, who won his debut bout in the promotion back in July at Bellator 158, will step into the octagon against American Anthony Taylor.
The two fighters ran into each other at an open training session ahead of this weekend’s card at the 3Arena in Dublin, and things became a little strange.
ICYMI: James Gallagher becomes first Irishman to win in Bellator https://t.co/i1YAbP96kN
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 17, 2016
A video from Severe MMAÂ shows Gallagher entering the workout area, where his opponent Taylor is already present and seemingly waiting on the fighter nicknamed the “Strabanimal.”
Gallagher pushes Taylor, who proceeds to shout “What’s up” quite a bit and offers to fight Gallagher’s training partner, before being escorted away.
Gallagher posted about the strange encounter later on Instagram.
Gallagher will be hoping to continue the impressive start he’s made to his MMA career at Bellator 169.
The SBG fighter has won all four of his MMA bouts so far, and debuted in Bellator with a unanimous decision victory over Mike Cutting.
Gallagher told SportsJOE’s Darragh Murphy that he wasn’t happy that the contest went to judges, and said he aims to surpass the achievements of UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor.
Gallagher says he can do more than McGregor https://t.co/VcMdEriKKU
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 23, 2016
“I can do better,” Gallagher said.
“I’m still only 20 years of age and I’ve seen how he did what he did so now I’m going to make it better and do more.”
He also predicted a quick finish to this weekend’s fight against Taylor.
“I reckon I’m going to bust him up early on and choke him in the first.”