James Gallagher is ready to lead the next generation of Irish mixed martial artists
The precocious featherweight may only be 22 - but it is almost a decade since he was first bookmarked for stardom.
On Friday night he will headline Bellator's latest European card against late replacement opponent Roman Salazar on a Dublin show featuring no fewer than 17 fighters from both sides of the Irish border.
Renowned coach John Kavanagh has shouldered the responsibility of nurturing Gallagher's talent - and helped him overcome his first defeat.
And he told Mirror Sport: "These are the glory years and we have to enjoy them.
"Bellator are here twice a year now; we went through a period of having the UFC coming once every few years, now we two major shows a year.
"There is a lot of Irish and European talent but there’s also an ex-world champion in Benson Henderson on the card.
"I first saw James at an MMA fight when he was 13 and fighting a grown man. That was terrifying for me, but I could tell that he was very skilful but also very mature.
"I approached him and his parents and said if he wanted to train with me he could but that I wasn't going to let him fight until he was older. They agreed, and that was the beginning of a relationship and we've been training together ever since.
"It's a huge responsibility which I don’t take lightly but I just try to do my best, and you can then live with the results.
"The hype is part of the game, but James is very lucky he has great parents, family and girlfriend.
"A lot of people only hear of or see him a couple of times a year leading up to his fights but we see him month in, month out and there’s not always the madness of a big fight coming up, there’s your regular day-to-day goings on too."
Gallagher's results were without fault for his first half dozen professional fights, with only one going the distance.
But a first-round KO defeat by Ricky Bandejas last year halted the phenom in his tracks.
"It was like a death in the family," admitted Kavanagh, an ambassador for fight sport and fitness brand Everlast. "But he didn't struggle any more than anyone else who has suffered a loss.
"You have to grieve but you also have to put it behind you otherwise the alternative is quitting and thats not in James' nature.
"If we speak bluntly, in boxing they hide prospects from any decent level opposition until they’re 20-0 whereas in MMA you are tested early on.
"The fans are more mature as well, they understand losses are part of the game. There is almost no-one in MMA who doesn't experience a loss at stage."
For the latest on John Kavanagh and your favourite #TeamEverlast talent, go to www.everlast.com
