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After a prolonged absence from the cage, featherweight sensation James Gallagher is ready to make his long-awaited comeback this summer.
The Bellator rising star will go head-to-head against seasoned veteran Cris Lencioni at Bellator 298, confirmed by a promotional official following an initial report from Severe MMA. The event is scheduled to take place on August 11th at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Gallagher's return marks his first fight in nearly two years, and fans are eagerly awaiting his comeback performance. Known as "The Strabanimal," Gallagher last stepped into the Bellator cage against the current interim bantamweight champion, Patchy Mix, in 2021. Unfortunately, Gallagher succumbed to submission, resulting in a loss. The defeat left his impressive Bellator record at 8-2, making his upcoming showdown all the more critical for the Irish fighter.
Initially set to participate in the Bellator bantamweight grand prix, Gallagher's journey was derailed by an injury that necessitated surgery. As fate would have it, Mix went on to secure victory in the $1 million tournament, delivering a devastating knockout blow to Raufeon Stots. Now, Gallagher is determined to bounce back stronger than ever and re-establish his presence in the featherweight division.
On the opposing side, Cris Lencioni enters the Bellator cage riding a wave of success, boasting an impressive four-fight winning streak. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Lencioni showcased his skills most recently with a remarkable inverted triangle choke victory over Blake Smith at Bellator 294.
Eager to continue his winning ways, Lencioni sees this matchup as an opportunity to further solidify his place in the promotion and make a statement against Gallagher.
As the date draws near, anticipation continues to build, with fans eager to witness Gallagher's return to the spotlight. Will he overcome adversity and emerge victorious, or will Lencioni spoil the comeback party? One thing is certain: Bellator 298 promises to deliver a night of thrilling action and memorable moments that fight enthusiasts won't want to miss.
Mark your calendars for August 11th and prepare for an explosive return as James Gallagher takes center stage once again.
With the addition, the Bellator 298 lineup includes:
Logan Storley vs. Brennan Ward
Valentin Moldavsky vs. Steve Mowry
Aaron Jeffery vs. Dalton Rosta
Islam Mamedov vs. Sidney Outlaw
Weber Almeida vs. Lucas Brennan
James Gallagher vs. Cris Lencion