Bellator MMA star James Gallagher has revealed he nearly quit the sport just weeks out from his highly anticipated bout with Jeremiah Labiano at Bellator London.
The Strabanimal defeated Labiano by a unanimous decision after, he claims, 'pulling out' of the fight just days before.
Speaking to Irish Mirror after the bout, Gallagher said: "I pulled out of the fight two weeks ago.
"I texted my coach and said 'I can't do it any more', I was having panic attacks in the gym and I didn't want to fight.
"I had to be helped out of the gym a few days in a row, I was having panic attacks, getting sick I just couldn't control myself.
"I was in a bad, bad place. I didn't want to be there any more, I didn't want to do it, but look, I showed up and I f***ing did it."
However, having come out the other side of a tough situation thanks to help from coach John Kavanagh and friend Kiefer Crosbie, he insists he has one of the strongest mindsets in Mixed Martial Arts, and insisted he is now on a collision course for the top.
"I am back, and say what you want but I am so proud of myself.
"I know everybody is going to look and say, 'that is a weak mind, he's broke'... I've got the strongest f***ing mindset in this game.
"I am going straight to the top.
It is expected James Gallagher's next fight will be at Bellator Dublin on September 27th in the 3 Arena.
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