James Gallagher Remain Hopeful After KO Loss: ‘I Am Still the Sh*t
The 21-year-old Irishman James Gallagher was on hype train in the build-up of his fight at Bellator 204. He returned from a 14-month layoff in a bantamweight debut and suffered a first loss of his career against Ricky Bandejas via the first-round knockout on Friday from Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Gallagher who’s a teammate at Straight Blast Gym in Ireland and carry a cocky style like Mcgregor. ‘The Strabanimal’ was pretty pumped up entering into Octagon and even intimidate his opponent Ricky Bandejas’ face moments before the fight. But Ricky didn’t buy any of his hype and shut him off via brutal left kick on the chin.
Following his loss, Gallagher releases the statement via social media and remain defiant that he’ll be back in December.
“I talked a big game and got the big fall, that everyone [is] scared to do,” Gallagher wrote. “If I hadn’t [have talked] none of you would be talking about me either. It’ll be the best thing that ever happened me! I’ll take it on the chin (literally) and move on.
“Hats off to my opponent, I show up fully prepared ready to go there’s no excuses. I’m going to bounce back from that loss and climb my way back up and become world champion. I woke up today with no injuries and with the people who care still around me. I get back to the gym put in the work and climb my way back. Nothing will keep me down! My spirit is bruised , never broken! I’m still the s**t!”
Twitter reacted to his loss:
https://twitter.com/SecretMovesMMA/status/1030639605652119552
https://twitter.com/FurysFightPicks/status/1030655216289374209
"OK, let's finish this takedown and tap this bitc– wait, why is the cage sideways and why am I stuck to it? Oh no–" #Bellator204 pic.twitter.com/IEpvlv6t4z
— smoogy (@smoogymma) August 18, 2018
Not even Connor has been as cocky inside that cage before a fight as Gallagher was… that was a life lesson for that kid #Bellator204
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) August 18, 2018
How Ricky Bandejas left James Gallagher after #Bellator204 > pic.twitter.com/cxheSmK31r
— Eric VT (@shocbomb23) August 18, 2018
Me: I kind of feel sorry for James Gallagher, the backlash he is going to receive will be huge.
Inner Me: HAHAHAHAHA THIS MOTHERFUCKER JUST GOT KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT. SIT DOWN, BE HUMBLE. #Bellator204 pic.twitter.com/FFuOi5H5ir
— Jordan Patu (@Jordan_Patu) August 18, 2018
Gallagher made it clear that he’s down but not broke and has a long future ahead.