James Gallagher gained significant insights from training with Conor McGregor during their shared time, but one lesson in particular proved especially impactful.
Known by the nickname ‘Strabanimal’, Gallagher is set for his highly anticipated return fight on June 14th. He will compete at 971 FC in Dubai, UAE, where he is scheduled to face Fabrício Soares.
Fans have expressed missing his characteristic trash talk and powerful striking in the cage, skills that were significantly developed during his training period at SBG Ireland located in Dublin.
The MMA standout recently shared details about the most valuable lesson he took away from sparring sessions with ‘The Notorious’.
McGregor`s Lesson on Mentality During Injury
When he was just 20 years old, James Gallagher stepped into the octagon against Chinzo Machida, the younger sibling of Lyoto Machida, at Bellator 180. This major event took place inside the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, USA.
Gallagher delivered a definitive performance, securing a submission victory over the Brazilian opponent via a first-round rear-naked choke.
Handling the pressure of competing on such a grand stage at such a young age is a formidable challenge, yet Gallagher appeared to manage it with remarkable ease.
He has since discussed how his resilient mindset was shaped by being in Conor McGregor`s environment. He specifically highlighted observing how the MMA icon managed to cope with a significant injury suffered shortly before a massive UFC fight.
In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Gallagher elaborated: “When I was coming up in the sport, sparring and training alongside Conor, it was truly incredible to witness someone possessing that level of mindset and skill. I learned things that went beyond just physical techniques – it was more about mentality and preparation for big moments, and how to conduct yourself under intense pressure.”
“He operates at the highest level of pressure, so absorbing even small pieces from that experience was likely the most significant thing I learned: maintaining a high mental state even when circumstances are difficult. I remember the first time he fought Dustin Poirier, he fractured his thumb just three weeks out. I actually went to the hospital with Gunnar Nelson.”
“To see how many things were going wrong right before such a crucial moment, and yet he managed to keep his mindset focused. Breaking your thumb three weeks prior during your hardest training rounds? That’s immensely damaging to your mental preparation heading into a major event. There was a tremendous amount to learn from that situation, and it was incredibly valuable just being present.”
Recollection: Khabib Nurmagomedov`s Father Protected James Gallagher During Arena Brawl
Gallagher`s journey in MMA includes several memorable and chaotic moments.
One particular instance involved him traveling to Moscow, Russia, to serve as a corner man for his teammate, Peter Queally.
When Queally secured a devastating victory, it`s fair to say the outcome was not well-received by the local crowd in attendance.
Gallagher has since shared how Khabib Nurmagomedov`s father stepped in and attempted to shield him from various objects being thrown in his direction amidst the chaos.
