Next week’s Bellator event in Dublin has suffered a blow as England’s Cal Ellenor has pulled out of his main event slot against James Gallagher.
As reported by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Ellenor suffered an undisclosed injury in training which has mandated his removal from the card. Bellator officials are attempting to identify a replacement opponent for the card which takes place in the Irish capital next Friday September 27.
Gallagher (9-1) is slated for his second home country main event inside the 3 Arena, the largest indoor venue in the country, following a quick submission win against Steven Graham inside the same arena earlier in 2019. Ellenor (8-2), meanwhile, was set to make his second appearance under the Bellator banner after submitting Nathan Greyson in his maiden bout with the organisation, also earlier this year.
Writing on Instagram, Gallagher said: “They say I’m no good, they run me down and say I’m this I’m that. That fact is I’m the biggest draw in Bellator whether you admit it to yourself or not. The Jimmy Show will be in 9 days @3arenadublin see yous all there 👑 @bellatormma @mikekogan @coach_kavanagh @paradigmsm thank you for working to get someone to step in. I want to wish @calpacinomma a speedy recovery, hope he gets back to himself and maybe we arrange this for again. For the rest of you popping up out of woodworks, back to your day jobs.”
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Bellator matchmakers now face a scramble to locate an opponent to fill their headline slot for what is considered to be the most high profile MMA event to take place in Ireland in several years.
The good news for Irish fight fans is that the rest of the card is a strong one. SBG’s Richard Kiely takes on Michael ‘Venom’ Page, UFC vets Benson Henderson and Myles Jury will face off while a host of other top Irish talent including Kiefer Crosbie, Peter Queally, Charlie Ward and Leah McCourt will also feature on the card.
