James Gallagher: ‘I’m Back And I’ll Show You I’m Better Than Ever’
James Gallagher will return to the Bellator cage on April 6 when he takes on fellow unbeaten featherweight prospect Adam Borics in the main event of Bellator 196.
The man from Strabane has been on the sidelines since suffering a knee injury last year and has had to come through extensive rehab to get himself ready for his return. Speaking to MMANytt.com this past week, Gallagher explained how his recovery had gone to plan and how he thinks he’s even stronger than he was before the injury.
“It’s cleared up perfect,” Gallagher said. “It’s as strong as a rock and it feels just as good as the other one (knee) that was fine all along.
“Actually when I went and got the test to get medically cleared to come back training, most of the tests, I did like five different ones, four out of the five were stronger than the leg that didn’t get the operation.
“I just listened to the doctors and what they said and did everything I could. I put the work into it and the results showed.”
Despite having to spend a period on the sidelines resting the knee, Gallagher didn’t waste his time off. Instead, the SBG Ireland man focused on the areas of his game that he could control and never once kept himself away from the gym.
“I was just sitting there watching because I had a big brace on my knee for weeks and weeks,” Gallagher said. “I was struggling to even walk, but I live close to the gym at the time so I would literally get up in the morning and hobble my way to the gym.
“It was tough hobbling my way there, but I’d stay there for a few hours and do some pull-ups, press-ups, and watch the boys train. I just did what I could until the cast came off and do the proper rehab on the knee.
“I would just stay there all day or until I got bored and then I’d hobble back. The whole time I was eating clean and just keeping my mind active.”
Such was Gallagher’s desire to get back into the cage, he signed his contract to fight Borics before he was even back on the mats.
“I was still hobbling along and they (Bellator) came to me and said if I wanted a fight in April, the main event,” Gallagher said.
“I said, ‘Of course I want to be the main event and of course I want to fight.’ The doctors hadn’t even passed me to medically train yet, but I was like ‘I’m in, 100% in.’ I said as soon as the doctors pass me to fight I’ll sign the contract so that was me agreeing to the fight.
“I think went to the hospital, got cleared and then sent the contract back that night.”
If anyone is thinking Gallagher may have just rushed back they better think again. Gallagher says he’s going to let his fighting do the talking on April 6 and that people are going to be amazed by how he’s better than ever.
“I’m better than ever,” Gallagher said. “I’m better than ever and I don’t need to say it, I’ll show you. I do say it, because I know I’m going to be better than ever and that’s an honest statement, but I’m going to show you and I can’t wait until I do.
“It’s been a long time coming.”
Full interview:
