Peter Queally is almost in disbelief of where he finds himself today in his fighting career.
The Irish fighter is days away from headlining Bellator 285 on home soil and against easily the biggest name he’s faced so far – former UFC champion Benson Henderson. The two are set to meet in a lightweight contest this Friday at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
Queally (13-6-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) can’t help but to feel elated by the moment – something he would’ve deemed impossible when he first started fighting.
“If you’d have told me 10-12 years ago when I was sleeping outside in my car that I was going to fight Benson in the 3Arena, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Queally told reporters at the Bellator 285 media day. “My family are very proud of me, and it’s time to just go out there and do it.”
He later added,
“It’s so cool. I’ve said this many times in interviews: it’s so cool to see myself on the poster, and to be on top of Yoel (Romero). I’m such a huge fan of his. I can’t wait to meet him and get a picture with him.”
But despite hitting a career milestone, Queally is not just happy being part of the moment. He intends to defeat Henderson (29-11 MMA, 6-6 BMMA) and make another run at the Bellator lightweight belt.
Queally has consciously made an effort to mentally prepare and not let the moment get to him.
“I do put it aside,” Queally said. “I don’t consider myself the B-side here. We’re in the 3Arena, let’s not forget. Once the bell rings, he’s not going to be Benson Henderson anymore. He’s just going to be a guy in front of me. I’m going to go in there and try to kill him, you know what I mean? I don’t think I’ll be starstruck… I’ll try to enjoy it a bit more. I’ll try to embrace it a bit more and enjoy.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 285.
