James Gallagher isn’t starstruck in fighting someone from the Machida family, but there is respect to be had.
Gallagher will be taking on Chinzo Machida inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 24. The bout will be part of the Bellator NYC pay-per-view (PPV) event. This will be Gallagher’s fourth bout under the Bellator banner.
In a recent interview with Flo Combat, Gallagher talked about respecting his upcoming opponent despite wanting to finish him early:
“Getting that phone call to compete at Madison Square Garden against one of the legendary Machida brothers is like a dream come true. This is exactly the type of fight I’ve been calling for as well. I’ve been calling for big fights ever since I signed with Bellator, and with Machida I got what I wanted. I’m going to go out there and put on a performance on June 24. I’m very honored to face a guy like this, but I’m coming there to beat him. I’m coming there to put him away. I’m not here to be friends with him. I respect him, but I’m going in there (to) take him down, bust him up and put him away. I’ll shake his hand afterward and show him respect, but that’s the way it’s going to go.”
