Fighters Only : Benson Henderson vs. Peter Queally to headline Bellator’s return to Dublin on September 23

Fighters Only

Jul 25, 2022

A pivotal lightweight bout will feature in the main event of Bellator Dublin on September 23, as former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson gets set to face local star Peter Queally at the 3Arena.

After a three-fight skid halted his momentum through 2020 and 2021, Henderson returned to form with a split decision over Islam Mamedov at Bellator 273 in January.

Queally, meanwhile, suffered the first stoppage loss of his career when he fought Patricky Pitbull for the vacant lightweight title at Bellator 270. A comeback bout against England’s Kane Mousah at Bellator 275 was scrapped after “The Showstopper” sustained an injury.

Now the Dubliner is back to full fitness and ready to return on home soil, where he’ll face Henderson in a bout that could propel the winner into a title fight later this year.

Queally will enjoy the home-cage advantage in the atmospheric 3Arena, but Henderson will also relish the electric atmosphere as he prepares for his second Bellator assignment on Irish soil.

“Smooth’s” last appearance at the 3Arena saw him outpoint Myles Price in a lacklustre fight, then promised to return to fight in Dublin again.

“Before I retire, I promise you Irish fans, I’m gonna come back out here,” he said after his win.

“I will be back out here again, and I’m going to give you guys a show. I’m gonna give the Irish fans a show. You guys deserve better than that.”

That fight will see Henderson face Queally, whose moniker of “The Showstopper” is well deserved. The Irishman holds victories over Patricky Pitbull and Ryan Scope under the Bellator banner, and has competed across Europe in a career spanning more than a decade.

Also set for action on the card is an explosive light heavyweight bout between Melvin Manhoef and Yoel Romero, while bantamweights James Gallagher and Brett Johns will also face off.