When Conor McGregor defeated Diego Brandao in front of a sold-out crowd in the Dublin O2 field in July 2014, it looked as if the Irish were indeed taking over the UFC. That night five Irish MMA fighters (six if you include SBG fighter Gunnar Nelson) won the matchups.
This wave of Irish UFC fighters did not end the same thing they did that night in Dublin. However, their director, Conor McGregor, went on to become the first “Champ Champ” and star to ever see the MMA world.
As Conor’s legendary career continues, will there be another Irish MMA star to take over after his retirement? Here is a fve of the best Irish MMA fighters looking to be the next Conor McGregor.
5. Kiefer ‘Big Daddy’ Crosbie
Another look at Irish MMA fighting out of the famous SBG Gym in Dublin. Kiefer Crosbie is a welterweight Bellator with a professional MMA record of 8-2.
The 30-year-old may have lost his last fight but is a 4-2 honor so far in his Bellator career. The week at Bellator 240 in Dublin, Crosbie became a father for the first time and used the energy of a new father to win in front of his hometown fans.
After his last big tour, it will be interesting to see who “Big Daddy” is in 2021.
4. Rhys ‘Skeletor’ McKee
Rhys McKee in Northern Ireland is an advanced weight firefighter. He has a prestigious professional MMA record of 10-4-1. After being excited in the promotion of BAMMA and Cage Warrior, ‘Skeletor’ was signed with the UFC in 2020.
Unfortunately, he was matched against an unknown Russian fighter Khamzat Chimaev at the time. After being under Chimaev’s control, he gave a unanimous decision to Alex Morono.
While recently released by the UFC, he is only 25 and has the opportunity to hone his skills on the regional scene before returning to the big show. McKee recently said he was stepping away from MMA because of the pandemic.
3. Leah ‘The Curse’ McCourt
Leah McCourt is a 28-year-old Bellator featherweight for oversight. She was an IMMAF Global and European Amateur Supporter and winner of the Brazilian International Jiu-Jitsu Federation gold medal.
Since losing her first MMA professional record back in 2017, she has recovered from a four-fight win streak. The SBG Charlestown fighter is currently 3-0 at Bellator after winning a stunning unanimous decision over experienced Judith Russia.
McCourt has not put a foot in the Bellator cage since he ended the event in Dublin in February 2020. Hopefully Scott Coker can be matched sometime soon this year.
2. Garry Ian ‘The Future’
Cage Warriors ’undefeated welterweight has a 5-0 professional MMA record. The Irishman is currently on a four-fight finish.
Garry plans to face Rosteem Akman at Cage Warriors 121 on March 19, 2021. He has big goals and wants to impress his countryman Conor McGregor by becoming a doubleweight champion in Cage Warriors.
The 23-year-old fighter has also said he wants to be in the UFC before turning 25. As the nickname suggests, “The Future” is clear for this Irish MMA star who rise quickly.
1. James ‘The Strabanimal’ Gallagher
The highlight of Ireland’s MMA in 2021 is Bellator bantamweight rival James Gallagher. Known as “The Strabanimal,” he has an incredible 11-1 professional MMA record. With nine of his winners coming in by hand, Gallagher is as dangerous as they come once the fight hits the ground.
After suffering his only professional loss in 2018, he has kicked back with four straight hits inside the Bellator cage.
The next Conor McGregor?
At just 24 years old, the SBG fighter has the ability to follow in the footsteps of his team Conor McGregor as a world champion. He plans to take on Bellator batchamweight title opponent Patchy Mix at Bellator 258 in May. A fight that promises to be an exciting pitfall of excellent catchers.
