LETHBRIDGE – Charles Gallagher didn't just run through his opponent, he ran him over.
The Canmore mixed martial artist didn't mess around at Rumble in the Cage 67 (RITC) in Lethbridge, winning his amateur welterweight (170 pounds) bout by second-round submission.
Gallagher, representing Dark Horse Martial Arts, started the fight night in Lethbridge and found himself in a difficult situation with his opponent Ivan Shtepa of Calgary. From the opening bell, Gallagher controlled the fight and nearly finished his opponent when a rear-naked choke nearly sent him down at the end of the first round. Štepa, who was substituted late in the match, had no answer to Gallagher's anger.
After a few minutes, the local fighter took Shtepa to the mat and delivered brutal ground and pound punches from back mount, followed by an airtight triangle choke to force a tap.
Gallagher aims to return to the cage unscathed within eight weeks and hopes to face the RITC Amateur Welterweight Champion in the future.
“I know the job isn't done. I want that belt,” the 27-year-old demolition worker said. “I think we have a lot of work to do, and that's my mindset. Even after the game, I was grateful that we won, but I think after 20 minutes I was like, 'Okay, next.'
Gallagher hopes to fight at least four times in 2024, with his sights set on RITC titleholder Alciom Kurkowski. Kurkowski (3-1), a 17-year-old ass kicker, stopped Curtis Busch of Winnipeg at the end of the second round on Saturday.
Gallagher said he did not speak to Kurkowski after the match, with both sides choosing to enjoy their respective victories.
“[Krukouski] He came out and got the job done, and his win was impressive to me,” Gallagher said. “I've seen a lot of holes in his game, and as my own biggest critic, I know there are a lot of holes in my game. By the time he and I face off, I think it's a great war.”
Saturday's win was Gallagher's first amateur victory and improved his record to 1-2.
Gallagher lost by first-round knockout to Olson Werenka of Calgary at RITC 66 last October. He said he was unable to warm up properly after the game order was changed on the day due to game cancellations and confusion.
But despite the setbacks, he said that in hurting business, you don't lose, you learn.
“That was the biggest lesson for me… and now I know I need to warm up at least an hour before a game and always be ready,” Gallagher said.
He added that his mindset towards training changed after the October match. Gallagher began to be conscious of his goals in his practices, tweaking details such as his head movements and footwork.
“I think the reason I've been able to grow so quickly in this sport is because I'm able to step out of my shoes and see where my biggest problems are,” Gallagher said. “It comes down to being humble and understanding that you are not at your best and there is always room for improvement.”
Dark Horse head instructor and jiu-jitsu black belt Travis Irlam was at Gallagher Corner in Lethbridge. Ellam said it was a big hurdle for the students to overcome the loss in October, but it was great to see their hard work in the gym paying off.
“He's been in the gym every day preparing, so it was really surprising for him to get his hand raised,” Earlham said. “The funny thing is, it all came back to jiu-jitsu, and his jiu-jitsu on Saturday was on point.”
RITC 67 made history by hosting Canada's first sanctioned bare-knuckle MMA match in the main event. Prince Edward Island's Renee Wheeler defeated Lethbridge's Tim Tamaki by first-round KO in a 155-pound bout.
