James Gallagher Set for Title Shot with Win at Bellator 204

(Via: Independent)

One of the hottest prospects in all of MMA is set for a title shot with a win at Bellator 204. SBG product James Gallagher, who’s set to take on Ricky Bandejas in Sioux Falls, SD on August 17, confirmed today on Twitter that with a win next month he’s been given the opportunity to fight for either the bantamweight or featherweight title.

(Via: https://twitter.com/StrabanimalMMA)

Injuries forced Gallagher (7-0) out of bouts at Bellator 187 and 196, and a year-long layoff will see him move down to bantamweight for the first time in his young career. A story line had begun to develop between Pitbull brothers, Patricky and Patricio Friere and their desire to fight the best of Ireland’s SBG. With Gallagher moving down to bantamweight, this would seemingly quash any potential rivalry with featherweight champ Patricio Friere, but new developments have kept this fight possible.

(Via: https://twitter.com/StrabanimalMMA)

The prospect of a bantamweight title fight for Gallagher is interesting, as we have bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell, and Noad Lahat in a featherweight non-title bout at Bellator 204. With Michael McDonald’s win over former champ Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 202 this past weekend, a title fight between McDonald and Caldwell seems inevitable. Heading into the DAZN deal, it was announced that Bellator will feature seven stacked cards per year exclusive to DAZN in addition to 15 events broadcast on Paramount Network and DAZN. In all likelihood, we will see more action from Bellator champs, and Caldwell is one of the more marketable stars on the roster.

Regardless of whether Gallagher competes at featherweight or bantamweight, it’s great to see one of Bellator’s rising stars back in the cage. A fight against Patricio Pitbull would be a promoter’s dream, but a fight against Darrion Caldwell has the potential to produce fireworks. SBG features a litany of star power, and with Gallagher, they have lightening in a bottle. With two potential title fights on the horizon, Bellator fans have a lot to look forward to.