At 20 years of age, James Gallagher is eagerly waiting for Conor McGregor to pass the baton to him as he bids to become Ireland's next mixed martial arts superstar.
On the buildup to his bout with Anthony Taylor, Gallagher worked the media with ease, signed autographs for fans and walked around with a confident swagger of man who was determined to taste success in his home nation. He was not going to be fazed by the occasion.
Speaking to Balls.ie, the 'Strabanimal' discussed what it was like to walk around the capital before the biggest bout of his professional career;
It was something else. Even just the build-up. Like I couldn't walk down the street without someone stopping me for a picture. It was absolutely amazing.
But I just kept saying to myself that none of this actually matters. The only thing that matters is the fight. So I just kept my head grounded and my mind focused on the fight. After that I could really enjoy the crowd and have my moment.
Then the moment arrived, the co-main event of the evening. Atmosphere was at its peak following victory for SBG teammate, Sinead Kavanagh (4-0). Despite the likes of 'King Mo' Lawal and Tom Duquesnoy featuring on the respective cards, there was only one man the majority of the crowd were there to see.
When the action commenced, Gallagher was tentative at first as he got a feel for his opponent. Anthony Taylor relentlessly charged at Gallagher throughout the early rounds. But the SBG fighter remained calm as he tired his opponent with multiple leg kicks as he awaited the right opportunity - which eventually arrived in the third round.
From a standing position, Gallagher grabbed the back of Taylor before the two athletes fell to the mat. It's here that the 'Stabanimal' feels most comfortable and within moments he sunk in a rear naked choke to claim his fifth successive victory of his career.
At the start I kinda went out and I wasn't switched on or something. I was kind of playing around. I remember I just went out into the second round and he was pretty strong. I went into the corner and John [Kavanagh] was like 'right, you have to put him away. You can't not. You have to go out and hurt him with leg kicks then you'll get the finish. He's going to break'
So then I went out, cut him off, banged a few leg kicks and next thing I was on his back. When I get someone's back, it's done. I don't care who you are, you're not laughing.
Having left school at an early age and opting to move to Dublin to pursue his career as a professional fighter, Gallagher was in need of guidance - both in and out of the cage. That helping hand came in the form of John Kavanagh who moulded the Strabane man from raw talent into a legitimate contender within a few years. It does not go unnoticed by Gallagher who is thankful for Kavanagh's influence on his life.
It's amazing. I owe everything to John [Kavanagh]. John took me in when I was 15 years old and showed me the ropes. I owe him everything. I really couldn't thank him enough.
Many would say there is little rush for glory giving the age of Gallagher but he is determined to win the Bellator featherweight belt sooner rather than later. CEO of the organisation, Scott Coker recently spoke admirably about the 5-0 fighter but believes Gallagher may potentially have a few more fights before he is willing to offer him a shot at the top. That being said, if all goes to plan then Ireland may have yet another featherweight champion by the end of 2017.
When asked about his next fight and what the future holds, Gallagher took a brief moment and then answered with bravado;
The whole division wants to fight me as soon as the numbers came out. Next thing I had ten million tweets from every fighter in the whole division asking to fight me.
I'm on the winning side. I'm the one who everyone else wants. I'll see who wants it more and I'll get them.
I want to be the best in the game. A world champion. The only thing that can stop me is myself. Every morning that I wake up, I just want to be there [SBG].
