Triple Take: Which Bellator fight is missed most after May postponements?

Bellator postponed more than 30 fights over three events in May due to the coronavirus outbreak. But which one was the biggest loss?

Bellator postponed three additional events from its May calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bellator 232 (San Jose, Calif.) on May 9, Bellator Europe 8 (London) on May 16 and Bellator 243 (Temecula, Calif.) on May 29 were all pushed back due to safety concerns over the ongoing crisis, causing more than 30 matchups to fall apart.

There were certainly some matchups of significance and great intrigue on the docket, too, but which fight is the biggest loss from our upcoming watchlist? MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Dave Doyle, and Farah Hannoun give their opinions in the latest edition of Triple Take.

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Mike Bohn: James Gallagher vs. Cal Ellenor

It’s not difficult to understand why James Gallagher is a polarizing figure. Many aren’t fans of his, and only tune in out of hope he gets his trademark pre-fight talk flipped on him like we saw Ricky Bandejas do in Gallagher’s only career loss.

Still, though, it’s hard not to feel for Gallagher (10-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) in this scenario. With his fight at Bellator Europe 8 in London postponed, Gallagher vs. Cal Ellenor has now been canceled a whopping three times over an eight-month stretch. I don’t believe in curses, but it certainly seems like a higher power doesn’t want these two matched up.

The pair were supposed to fight at Bellator Europe 4 in September, but Ellenor (8-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) had to pull out at the last minute when his medicals revealed a brain abnormality that required further examination. He overcame the issue and received clearance to return, and the fight was rescheduled for Bellator Europe 7 in February.

Gallagher sustained a back injury during the final stages of his preparation, though, and had to pull out of the main event bout with Ellenor in his native Ireland. He said he was “heartbroken,” but remained determined to make the contest happen.

It seemed the third time was going to be the charm with Bellator Europe 8, but then the coronavirus pandemic derailed the matchup once more.

On paper, the fight is Gallagher’s to lose. He’s been a sizable betting favorite each time he’s been matched up with Ellenor, who feels he has the tools to expose Gallagher. Hopefully the fight can come together one day, though, because both men have put enough time and effort into preparation that they deserve the payoff.

Next page: Dave Doyle on Liz Carmouche’s Bellator debut

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