James Gallagher will make his PFL debut on August 23 against Brahyan Zurcher on the PFL Welterweight and Featherweight Playoffs card.
‘The Strabanimal’ will step inside the Smart Cage for the first time, looking to get back in the win column and potentially put his name in the hat for the 2025 Featherweight season, when he takes on the unbeaten Mexican.
Since PFL acquired Bellator, fans have witnessed numerous athletes flitter between the two promotions, with household Bellator names opting to compete in the 2024 PFL Season.
When Gallagher makes the walk at The Anthem arena, Washington D.C. 2024 will be the Strabane native’s most active year since 2019 – having only competed once a year in 2020, 2021 and 2023, and not at all during 2022.
Prior to his quiet spell, Gallagher was one of the most recognisable faces under the Bellator banner. Having made his promotional debut back in 2016, at the age of just 19, Gallagher instantly caught the eye of many with his quick wit, self-confidence and ability to back up what he said on the mic, with his skillset inside the cage.
In his next three bouts, The Strabanimal’s grappling prowess was on display for all to see as he collected three consecutive rear naked choke finishes and continued to build an sizeable fan base. His first big test came when he faced Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 204. The American handed Gallagher his first loss when a head kick dropped the Irishman and followed it up with a flurry of punches to call an end to the bout.
He returned just four months later and built another four fight winning streak, with three submission finishes, over the next 20 months.
Unfortunately for Gallagher, after his victory against Cal Ellenor at Bellator Euro Series 9, he would have to wait another 13 months before he would return to action and was handed his second defeat, this time at the hands of Patchy Mix at Bellator 270.
Gallagher then had 3 scheduled bouts, against Brett Johns, Leandro Higo and Cris Lencioni, all cancelled prior to taking place and would have to wait almost two years before he fought again. In his return, he beat James Gonzalez by unanimous decision. In his first bout of 2024, Gallagher found himself on the wrong side of a unanimous decision against Leandro Higo.
Zurcher has the chance to add a huge scalp to his resume if he can find a route to victory against Gallagher on August 23. The Feather currently holds a perfect 9-0-0 record, with seven finishes to his name. The 28 year old has already competed twice this year, with a second round and a first round stoppage against Julian Ruiz and Angel Rodriguez, respectfully.
You can find the full list of bouts scheduled for PFL 9: 2024 Playoffs, below:
PFL Welterweight and Featherweight Playoffs Main Card:
ESPN | ESPN+ (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada & Europe)
Friday, August 23 - 10:00 pm EST
Featherweight Semifinal Main Event: Brendan Loughnane (29-5) vs. Kai Kamaka (14-5-1)
Welterweight Semifinal Co-Main Event: Magomed Umalatov (16-0) vs. Don Madge (11-5-1)
Featherweight Semifinal Main Card Bout: Gabriel Braga (14-1) vs. Timur Khizriev (16-0)
Welterweight Semifinal Main Card Bout: Shamil Musaev (18-0-1) vs. Murad Ramazanov (12-1)
Early Card:
ESPN+ (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada & Europe)
6:30 pm EST
Welterweight Bout: Ray Cooper III (25-10-1) vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov (16-2)
Welterweight Alternate Bout: Neiman Gracie (13-5) vs. Luca Poclit (10-2)
Featherweight Alternate Bout: Tyler Diamond (14-3) vs. Enrique Barzola (20-9-2)
Featherweight Bout: Brahyan Zurcher (8-0) vs. James Gallagher (12-3)
Featherweight Bout: Jesse Stirn (16-6) vs. Jose Perez (8-1)
