Leah McCourt becomes Bellator’s newest European headliner
Bellator Europe 7, Feb. 22, 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Bellator’s work to establish a solid presence in Europe over the last few years has been a real success story for the promotion, and nowhere is the Bellator cage more warmly welcomed than in Dublin, Ireland, where packed houses deliver a memorable atmosphere every time the promotion lands on the Emerald Isle.
After Dublin fan-favorite James Gallagher was ruled out of his main event fight with Cal Ellenor, Bellator’s European team had to scramble and find another main event, and called on Northern Ireland’s Leah McCourt to shoulder the responsibility.
“The Curse” proved to be a blessing for Bellator as, in her first big-time main event, she handled everything thrown at her with consummate ease. She was engaging with the media and warm with the fans in the lead-up to fight night, then she delivered an emotional victory to round off another entertaining night in Dublin as she outpointed Judith Ruis, then celebrated in the cage with her daughter, Isabella.
It proved that former amateur world champion McCourt is making great strides in her development in the pro ranks, but also showed that she’s more than capable of handling the pressure of the main event spotlight. McCourt’s star is growing on her side of the pond, and bigger fights are surely just around the corner.
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Next up: Lightweight contender delivers emphatic statement