France’s own Davy Gallon, a native of the Normandy region of the country, won big at Bellator 280 in Paris on Friday.
Gallon (21-7-2) picked up a TKO win from the crucifix position over Benjamin Brander, securing his fifth straight victory overall, and third in Bellator MMA.
It happened to be the first time Gallon has competed at home in France, which only legalized MMA a couple of years back.
“It was a wonderful night, and it was a wonderful feeling to fight in front of my crowd,” Gallon told Cageside Press following the fight. “There was a lot of my family, come to see me, and a lot of my friends. I have a lot of friends in Paris, and to fight in front of them, it’s crazy. It was a good fight, and Benjamin Brander was a true warrior, and it was crazy to get the win tonight, so I’m really happy.”
Gallon hit the spotlight with a viral rolling thunder kick KO of former UFC star and Ultimate Fighter winner Ross Pearson, a knockout that landed him in Bellator. That remains his top memory in his fighting career to date, but “in terms of feeling,” Gallon said, Bellator 280, “it’s second. Everyone’s screaming your name, and giving me much love. I can put it on top of my list too. Maybe in my top five.”
The secret to Gallon’s recent success, he later told us, is that he loves his job. “I love to fight, and Bellator put me in a good place. I have always good training, when you go to the hotel everybody’s kind, you just have to concentrate, and make weight, and get ready and be well-prepared for the crazy fight.”
As for what comes next for Gallon, who told us previously that he’s living the dream, it’s to continue fighting the best. “I want to train more, I want to get better, and I want to fight the best guy in this cage.”
“No matter if I win or lose, I want to fight against the best men in the world, and I want to beat the best men in the world.”
Watch the full Bellator 280 post-fight press conference with Davy Gallon above. More coverage from the event can be found below.
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Scott Coker
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Lorenz Larkin
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Ryan Bader
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Yoel Romero
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Davy Gallon
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Gregory Babene
