Bellator Europe 9: Bantamweight rivals James Gallagher, Cal Ellenor booked for a fourth time

Bellator’s European team are crossing their fingers that the fourth time will be the charm after announcing that Irish bantamweight contender James Gallagher has once again been booked to face England’s Cal Ellenor.

After three prior attempts to book the pair fell by the wayside, the two bantamweights have now been matched to face off in the main event of Bellator Europe 9, which takes place Oct. 3 at the Allianz Cloud, Milan, Italy.

Gallagher’s (10-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) last outing saw him claim a quickfire submission victory over late replacement Roman Salazar in the main event of Bellator Europe 4 last September after Ellenor (8-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) was forced off the card due to issues with his medical documentation.

A back injury to Gallagher nixed the duo’s second booking, which was set to take place at Bellator Europe 7 on Feb. 22. Then a third attempt to match the pair also fell through as Bellator’s planned May 16 event in London was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now the pair are finally set to meet, with Bellator’s matchmakers booking the two European 135-pounders in the main event of the promotion’s third Milan event in the space of eight days.

Ellenor has been on the shelf ever since his first-round submission of Nathan Greyson on his promotional debut back in February 2019. All eight of his career wins have come inside the distance.

Also confirmed for the Oct. 3 card is a middleweight bout between Ireland’s Charlie Ward and England-based Estonian Andy Manzolo.

Confirmed bouts for Bellator Europe 9 include:

• James Gallagher vs. Cal Ellenor
• Andy Manzolo vs. Charlie Ward