Recapping Bellator 217 and what it means for MMA in Ireland
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Ireland is one of the most passionate places in the world for MMA, largely due to UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
McGregor was born and raised in Crumlin, Dublin Ireland, and although Ireland is passionate, it wasn’t always that way. It’s well documented that UFC and MMA in general had a rough time being respected as a sport in the United States. But it is not as well known the struggle it went through in Ireland. While MMA was getting started in America, John Kavanagh, McGregor’s head coach has said that in Ireland nobody knew what it was.
Kavanagh is also cornering four of the fighters on the main card at Bellator 217, 15 of the 32 fighters overall. I feel this card fell under the radar a bit this weekend, but it is massive for Bellator, and especially MMA in Ireland. Perhaps the biggest thing about this card is that it will air live in Ireland on Sky Sports after Sky and Bellator signed a deal earlier this month.
That is significant because for MMA to go from not even being seen as a legitimate sport to being aired on Sky is a huge jump. It also means a lot for MMA fighters in Ireland and Europe in general. Bellator having a focus on the European market, fighters have somewhere to go and make money while they get experience before going to the UFC. The amount of Irish fighters on this card made it truly special, and just by watching it, I can tell the atmosphere was absolutely electric.
Certainly the fans in Ireland had a lot of excitement going into this show, did it live up to that? Absolutely, there was not a boring fight on this card. No matter where they were on the card whether it was the prelims or the main card, every one of these fighters showed up to fight and showed up to win. The results are up on the website, so I wont go over those but I do want to give a recap and analysis on the four fights on the main card.
Richie Smullen vs Adam Gustab
The main card kicked off with Richie Smullen (Ireland) and Adam Gustab (Northern Ireland). Smullen came out strong in round 1 with a good exchange on the feet, then a wonderful takedown which Is what I expected him to go for being a brown belt under the coach of the night, Kavanagh. Smullen did a great job staying calm, keeping the fight on the ground for most of the round and applying lots of pressure. I believe Smullen wins round 1, he outworked Gustab for nearly the entire round say for a couple exchanges.
Gustab landed a few good shots to the head to begin round 2, but like round 1, Smullen took him to the cage and applied pressure. Then Smullen landed the takedown again around the three minute mark and started working. Gustab was able to get out of situations a couple times, but Smullen kept the control for the entire rest of the round. I would give Smullen the second round as well, he controlled the majority of the round.
Gustab needs a finish to win this fight at this point. Round 3 started with another exchange on the feet, and Gustab landed a lot of shots on Smullen but he was never in danger. Then like we saw in the first two rounds, Smullen takes him down. Smullen is no doubt controlling Gustab on the ground, but he is not going for anything. He goes for a choke but Gustab escapes and Smullen goes back to mount. He goes for a triangle but can’t get a good position on it, Smullen is going for a lot more in this third round. Smullen with another takedown, and this fight goes the distance.
Solid win for Smullen here, but I’d like to see him go for the finish more in his next fight.
Kiefer Crosbie vs Daniel Olejniczak
Following that we move on to Kiefer Crosbie (Ireland) against Daniel Olejniczak (Northern Ireland). The fight starts with both men throwing a lot of faints, Kiefer gets a takedown super early but Daniel gets right up. A good exchange on the feet, fairly even thus far. The crowd is electric for Crosbie. Daniel lands a good combo but Crosbie isn’t hurt by it. Daniel takes Crosbie to the fence, Crosbie controls it though. A big flurry from Crosbie and they end up on the ground but Crosbie ends up on top. Crosbie works towards a rear naked choke and he gets the submission with 50 seconds remaining in round 1.
A dominant win from BDK, and the roof just about comes off the arena.
Peter Queally vs Myles Price
From that fantastic win from Crosbie, we go to Peter Queally (Ireland) vs Myles Price (Ireland). There is bad blood in this fight, because Myles left SBG and trained with Khabib during the UFC 229 camp. Myles gets boo’d out of the building during his entrance. Price backs up Queally straight away and starts working against the cage. The crowd is singing their hearts out. Queally hits some good shots on the cage, but Price is still in control. Queally gets off the cage and starts throwing bombs, Price has been busted wide open. A very even fight so far, both men landing shots. Queally and Myles work on the fence for the last couple of so minutes. Tough round to score but I think Queally gets it.
More work on the cage to open round 2, with Price in control. Queally is very good at landing shots off the cage, and he’s busting up Price. Price drops Queally around the 3:10 mark, but Queally isn’t too hurt by it. Queally and Price throwing heavy shots, big exchange but Myles brings it back to the cage. Big exchange to end the round, have to give that one to Myles but not by much. Queally is landing good shots when he is against the cage but Myles is controlling the Octagon.
Round 3 opens up with both men landing good shots but yet again Myles brings it to the cage. If it isn’t broken don’t fix it, this is working for Myles and he is sticking to it. Queally is visibly tired, and Price senses it, being the aggressive one. Price lands a takedown, Queally needs to start putting some power behind those punches. Price trying for a Rear Naked Choke, Queally fights the hands and doesn’t let him. Queally escapes but gets caught in the position again. Myles really searching for a finish in the last 30 seconds, but this fight goes to a decision.
I think this is a close fight, but Price gets the decision.
James Gallagher vs Steven Graham
Now we go to our main event! James Gallagher (Ireland) makes his return against Steven Graham (USA). James is coming off a loss. They gave Gallagher the blackout entrance, Bellator is really making him a big deal. The crowd is firmly behind Gallagher, but that is no surprise. Round 1 starts with a take down straight away from Gallagher, with Gallagher in firm control. Graham is giving little defence, he is in trouble early. Galllagher going for a rear naked choke, Graham slips out but Gallagher get’s it back straight away. Gallagher has a good grip and almost has the choke. Graham stands up with Gallagher still on him, he locks in the rear naked choke and that is all she wrote!
James Gallagher is back and in a huge way. Dominant for The Strabanimal in his Bellator return. He is special, he shows respect to his opponent after the fight and they share a bow before the official decision.
Overall, Bellator 217 was a fantastic card and a big, big night for MMA in Ireland.
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