James Gallagher proudly wears Ireland on his sleeve when he steps into the cage – something that is unlikely to change.
However, the Bellator bantamweight contender is no longer training in his home country. Moving on from SBG Ireland’s physical location, Gallagher (11-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) has a new primary affiliation, Glory MMA & Fitness. The Lee’s Summit, Mo. training establishment is headed by UFC welterweight James Krause, who has become renowned in the world of coaching in recent years.
“I just needed a fresh set of eyes, a fresh set of ideas, a fresh approach, just away from every kind of distractions,” Gallagher explained at a virtual pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I’m going training now, then I come back, just chilling, studying, and getting ready to go train again. You don’t have family members coming in. You don’t got the next door neighbor popping in and passing negativity on. You know what I mean? There’s just a lot of stuff like that and I just don’t really associate with anyone who is not chasing greatness. That’s what I was doing here.”
Friday, Gallagher will compete for the first time since October 2020 when he battles rival Patchy Mix in the Bellator 270 co-main event, a three-round bantamweight battle. SGB Ireland head coach John Kavanagh will join Krause in the corner, combining Gallagher’s head coaches from the past and present.
“John Kavanagh got me to a world-class level,” Gallagher said. “John Kavanagh is going to be in my corner on Friday night. It’s kind of like, as Jay-Z said, ‘What’s better than one billionaire? Two.” You know what I mean? What’s better than one world-class coach? You might as well have two. … James is my head coach now, as long as I’m going to be in America. I live in America. I’m there permanently. I’m just here to fight and I’m flying out the next day.”
Entering his clash against Mix (14-1 MMA, 3-1 BMMA), Gallagher feels reinvented. The 13 years away from in-cage competition could play into his hand, according to the 25-year-old fighter.
“It’s been absolutely amazing. My whole mindset, my maturity, everything I’ve focused toward in this game, it’s just changed. My whole desire for everything has just changed. I’m going to become a father next year and I’m here to set an example and choose greatness.”
Bellator 270 takes place Friday at 3Arena in Dublin. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Watch the full media day interview with Gallagher in the video above.
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James Gallagher explains move from SBG to Glory MMA & Fitness: ‘I just needed a fresh set of eyes’