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Bellator 217: Gallagher vs Graham Odds and Predictions

Dylan Bowker

by Dylan Bowker in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Mar 29, 2020 · 12:18 PM PDT

3Arena in Dublin, Ireland
Bellator 217 takes place at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Photo by Chris Yunker (flickr) [CC License].
  • Bellator 217 goes Saturday, February 23rd from 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
  • The promotion’s latest European foray looks like an SBG Ireland showcase.
  • Check out the odds and picks below.

Bellator 217: Gallagher vs Graham goes Saturday, February 23rd and looks like it’s shaping up to be quite the night for SBG Ireland. Head coach John Kavanagh is in for a busy night as he’s cornering 11 pugilists on the card.

The marquee bout features the return of James Gallagher after his devastating first career loss. The co-main event feature is a tilt that many are earnestly calling the biggest fight in Irish MMA history. The event is set to broadcast on Paramount Network, DAZN, as well as Sky Sports.

James Gallagher vs Steven Graham Odds

Fighter Odds at Sportsbook 1 Odds at Sportsbook 2
James Gallagher -550 -600
Steven Graham +375 +450

*Odds taken on 02/22/19

This is a pivotal Bantamweight bout but this fight also has potential Featherweight implications. The bulk of Gallagher’s career has been at 145 lbs despite recent efforts at 135 lbs. James also has a tentative offer to join Bellator’s upcoming Featherweight Grand Prix in the fall.

All of that is predicated on this fight result and how the story of the bout unfurls though.

There’s a lot of history that underpins this as Gallagher was a corner-man for Paddy Holohan on July 19th, 2014. The night McGregor fought Brandao in Dublin, Ireland and now years later the Strabanimal is now primed for his own Dublin main event prize fight.

It presents a great opportunity to return to form for the brash Gallagher who was sweet chin music-ed by Ricky Bandejas in his last fight. The 22 year old Irish prospect seems unaffected by the internet trolls who reveled in his defeat and seems focused for his first fight of 2019.

Gallagher vs Graham Tale of the Tape

Gallagher
VS
Graham
7-1 MMA Record 6-3
0 Knockouts 1
6 Submissions 5
1 Loss Streak 5 Wins
Straight Blast Gym Ireland Camp/ Team Affiliation American Top Team HD
Chinzo Machida Significant Win(s) N/A

No disrespect meant to Steven Graham, but the likeliest outcome in this fight is Gallagher getting back to his winning ways. Bellator is more open to showcase-style matchmaking than UFC is, and this fight reads like a showcase for Gallagher.

This fight is a microcosm for this event due to SBG Ireland fighters all being in showcase style fights throughout this card. I have Gallagher all day.

Pick: Gallagher (-550)

Myles Price vs Peter Queally Odds

Fighter Odds at Sportsbook 1 Odds at Sportsbook 2
Myles Price +300 +345
Peter Queally -400 -415

Price vs Queally marks the promotional debuts for both men but they are quite familiar with the European circuit. Both combatants have cut their teeth in notable overseas promotions like BAMMA and Cage Warriors. So the live crowd will be more familiarized with what both fighters bring to the table as compared to domestic MMA fans.

Price and Queally have cut their teeth in notable overseas promotions like BAMMA and Cage Warriors.

This bout also reads like another SBG Ireland showcase, considering the respective career arcs of both men. Doing a bit of research and digging a tad deeper though, there’s a juicy narrative tendril to this fight beyond punches and kicks being thrown.

Price trained with SBG Ireland up until he posted a photo training with Khabib shortly before Nurmagomedov’s fight with SBG figurehead Conor McGregor.

Queally has described Price as a rat that he will kill as a direct result of these transgressions. The Irish public has lashed out at Price and many hardcore McGregor fans will likely be jeering at him from the audience.

To use Pro Wrestling terminology, Queally will be the babyface while Price is undeniably the heel. Myles is well aware of this though, and Price is ready to embrace the cacophonous booing from 3Arena.

Price vs Queally Tale of the Tape

Price
VS
Queally
10-7 MMA Record 11-4-1
3 Knockouts 1
2 Submissions 0
1 Loss Streak 1 Win
Team Ryano MMA Camp/ Team Affiliation Straight Blast Gym Ireland
Mario Saeed Significant Win(s) David Khachatryan

This co-main event Lightweight tilt will likely go to decision based on Queally’s 10 decisions out of 11 career wins and Price’s durability. I have the hometown lad Queally notching the W here to the delight of the partisan crowd.

Pick: Queally (-400)

Adam Gustab vs Richie Smullen Odds

Fighter Odds at Sportsbook 1 Odds at Sportsbook 2
Adam Gustab +265 +330
Richie Smullen -350 -400

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