LONDON – Cal Ellenor wasn’t the biggest James Gallagher fan but admits that has now changed.
Speaking to MMA Junkie during Bellator Europe 6 media day last week, Ellenor (8-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), who was forced to pull out of his initially scheduled bout with Gallagher (10-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) at Bellator Europe 4, said he has a lot of respect for the way Gallagher handled everything.
“Obviously it’s a fight. We’re still going to feel the same way about each other, but that was kind of … it was a little bit of respect there from that, and then obviously when he acted the way he did when the fight got pulled and respected me in the same way, I kind of – I see him in a different light,” Ellenor said. “At first I thought it was all just … I thought he was a bit of a (expletive) to be honest, but then obviously after that, I still want to punch him in the head the same amount. That’s not going to change, but aside from that I do have a different kind of respect for him now, and I really am looking forward to testing myself against him.”
Gallagher ended up facing Roman Salazar instead at Bellator Dublin in September, submitting him in just 35 seconds. Ellenor, who pulled out because of a brain health scare, respects Gallagher for agreeing to the fight being rescheduled, as he believes it’ll be a tough test for both of them.
“I was one hundred percent ready for it last time,” Ellenor said. “They stole it from us, so this time it’s going to be even more of a rough night for him now. I feel like I’ve got that fire in my belly. I just can’t wait to get in there and get it done.”
“I feel like that’s why this fight is different. He knows I’m a tough fight for him, and I know he’s a tough fight for me, and it’s a mutual respect thing as martial artists,” Ellenor added. “I feel like we both know we’re going to have our work cut out for us that night, so I feel like that’s why it’s a little bit different between us to what it’s been in the past.”
Why Bellator's Cal Ellenor now sees James Gallagher in a positive light
