Some extremely exciting news for Irish MMA was revealed on the latest episode of The MMA Hour on Monday, as James Gallagher will fight Chinzo Machida in Madison Square Garden on June 24th as part of a stacked Bellator card.
Coming off the back of a a first-round submission victory over Kirill Medvedovsky in Belfast last month, Gallagher's confidence is sky high despite the vast experience of the opponent he has been given.
We had the opportunity to chat with SBG head coach John Kavanagh the next day at the first in the series of Lucozade Sport’s ‘Made to Move Sessions’ designed to champion active lifestyles, and while most would see a 20-year-old going up against someone literally twice their age on a massive stage at MSG at a disadvantage, it's clear that James Gallagher is not your typical 20-year-old.
Kavanagh explained that normally he would be reluctant for a 20-year-old to be thrust into that type of spotlight, but The Strabanimal is well able for it and will thrive under the pressure.
You know, it's incredible. If it was any other 20-year-old I'd probably hold him back and say, look, lets do this in a couple of years time, but James, he grows under the big lights.
He's already basically headlined shows here in The Point and up North, so when we got the offer and I spoke to him, his eyes went very wide.
The second Irish fighter to be walking out at Madison Square Garden, such history in that place, I'm excited, he's excited. Lets make some history again.
Of course, the first Irish MMA fighter to make that walk was Conor McGregor, and that went rather well.
The Dubliner claimed the UFC lightweight title with an exhibition of clinical striking to wipe the floor with Eddie Alvarez, and that night will long be remembered for all associated with Irish MMA.
For Kavanagh, it may very well be his personal high-point in the sport.
It's definitely one of the high points, it's hard to think of a higher point than that.
Walking out there, again, knowing we were in the same changing rooms as Muhammad Ali, making that same walk he did all those years ago, of course, all the iconic boxing figures that have fought there, all the great boxing fights over the last few decades, to be the first major MMA title fight to happen in there and then the fight did go pretty well, yeah, it ticked a lot of boxes for me.
Hopefully Gallagher can enjoy similar success and, although Kavanagh revealed he will have to do his best not to "fanboy out" when he meets Yoshizo Machida, Chinzo and Lyoto's father, it's clear that his coach believes he is more than capable to do so.
‘Made to Move’ Sessions are a series of high-profile events sponsored by Lucozade Sport, which will take place over across 2017, aiming to champion active lifestyles.
To watch Coach Kavanagh share some of his top fitness and health tips and find out how to get involved in Lucozade Sport’s ‘Made To Move Sessions’, go to Lucozade Sport Ireland’s YouTube channel or Facebook Page LucozadeSportIRL #madetomove.
