As the world heals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions loosen, Bellator begins to plot its return to the international scene.
After a scheduled May booking fell through, bantamweight rivals James Gallagher and Patchy Mix are being lined up again – only this time the fight is being finalized for Nov. 5 on Irish soil.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking and targeted event location but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
It is unclear if the bout will headline the card, or serve as the co-main event. No further details were readily available as to where exactly in Ireland the promotion hopes to hold the event, though 3Arena Dublin has historically been it’s go-to. Bellator has not held a show in Ireland since February 2020.
The first scheduled booking between the two 135-pound contenders was supposed to take place at Bellator 258 in May. However, Gallagher (11-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons. Mix (14-1 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) instead faced UFC alum Albert Morales, whom he defeated via third-round submission.
After his win, Mix revealed that bad blood between him and Gallagher continued from the time of the cancellation until after the fight. Mix claimed Gallagher sent harassing direct messages on social media and mean-mugged him while at the event cornering his teammate Peter Queally.
Gallagher, 24, rides a four-fight winning streak into the fight. Nine of his 11 wins have come via finish. He most recently competed in October when he submitted Cal Ellenor.
Meanwhile, Mix has won three of his four fights in Bellator including a 66-second submission of Ricky Bandejas. Eleven of Mix’s 14 wins have come inside the distance. His only career loss was a closely-contested decision loss to then-title holder Juan Archuleta in 2020.
No other fights have surfaced for this card at this time.