The highly-touted SBG Ireland prospect was already hinting at a bantamweight title shot when the unheralded Ricky Bandejas knocked him out with a head kick and punches 2:49 into the opening frame of their Bellator 204 encounter. Considering that Gallagher’s bluster and antics are not unlike that of training partner Conor McGregor, it was an embarrassing outcome to say the least.
It appears as though “The Strabanimal” will get a chance to rebound from that defeat, as he announced via Instagram on Monday that he has signed a contract for his next fight.
“Contracts signed, opponent is irrelevant,” Gallagher wrote. “The only thing relevant is improved skill set, performance and winning. The Jimmy Show is back. I’m coming to make a statement.”
Prior to his upset loss to Bandejas, Gallagher had kicked off his career with seven consecutive victories – including four under the Bellator banner. The 22-year-old Irishman has finished all but one of his triumphs by way of submission.
Even in the immediate aftermath of the loss to Bandejas, Gallagher maintained a confident persona, claiming, “If I hadn’t of [talked] none of you would be talking about me either.” He also vowed to work his way back, declaring “I’m still the s—t.”