Leah Mccourt: “If she hurts her leg, it’s getting kicked off”

DUBLIN, IRELAND – Just days away from another historic event in Dublin, Ireland, the fighters of BELLATOR MMA 285: Henderson vs. Queally spoke to the media today ahead of their fights scheduled for this Friday, September 23 at the 3Arena.

Headlined by a five-round main event between Benson “Smooth” Henderson (29-11) ranked No. 3 and local hero and Peter “The Showstopper” Queally ranked No. 5 (13-6-1), BELLATOR 285 is supported by a delicious cast of MMA’s top talent, with legends of the sport, local stars and international challengers hoping to crash the Irish party.

The co-main event features No. 8-ranked light heavyweight veteran Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero (14-6) taking on another legend of the sport in Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (32-15-1).

The main card will air live in the US on SHOWTIME at 4 pm ET/1 pm ET.

Overseas, the main card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport from 9pm BST. The preliminary card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media from 6pm BST.

LEAH MCCOURT: NO. BELLATOR FEMALE FEATHERWEIGHT RANKED IN 5:

“I feel good. I feel calm compared to last time. It feels good to be back in Ireland. I feel privileged. I feel like I’m the ‘home’ fighter, and it’s good. There’s nothing like walking around the 3Arena and the crowd. The best. The best energy.”

“Just what we have worked on in the gym. I feel like my skill level and fighting IQ are better than hers… It’s been the best camp I’ve had so far. I just want to go out there and show the best version of me, and that’s my goal on Friday.”

“If he hurts his leg, they kick it.”

“When we started fighting, having absolutely nothing and not knowing why we were doing it, looking back is what I cherish these moments for. I’m proud of myself and the journey I’ve been on.”

“Each camp, you can improve. I think I learned a lot from the last fight for decision making. They caught me the same way as before, and the guys definitely helped me make the right decisions and not hold back, so I’m looking forward to showing that on Friday.”

“I take opportunities as they come, and that was not the path I was meant to be on. I just have to keep pushing, keep trying to improve. Through my faith, my purpose for being here, and my faith in God has given me the strength to move forward. To be a world champion, I think you have to be able to deal with loss.”

BELLATOR 285: HENDERSON VS. QUEALLY FIGHT CARD:

MAIN CARD: SHOWTIME (US) / BBC Three (UK) / Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)Friday September 23: 9pm GMT/4pm ET/1pm PT

Lightweight fight: #3: Benson Henderson (29-11) vs. #5: Peter Queally (13-6-1) Light heavyweight fight: #7: Yoel Romero (14-6) vs. #9: Melvin Manhoef ( 32)-15-1)Women’s Featherweight Fight: #5-Leah McCourt (6-2) vs. #9-Dayana Silva (10-7)Featherweight Fight: #3-Mads Burnell (16-4) vs. #5-Pedro Carvalho (12-6) Featherweight fight: Ciaran Clarke (5-0) vs. Raphael Hudson (5-3)

PRELIMINARY CARD: BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV (US) BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND) 6pm GMT/1pm ET/10am PT

Bantamweight fight: Brett Johns (18-3) vs. Jordan Winski (12-3) Bantamweight fight: Brian Moore (14-9) vs. Arivaldo Lima da Silva (19-10) Light heavyweight fight: #6-Karl Albrektsson (13-3) vs. Karl Moore (9-2) Lightweight fight: Darragh Kelly (1-0) vs. Kye Stevens (3- 1, 1 NC) Lightweight fight: Georgi Karakhanyan (31-13-1) vs. Kane Mousah (13-4) Featherweight fight: Kenny Mokhonoana (3-0) vs. Alex Bodnar (4-1) Featherweight fight: Asael Adjoudj (3-1) vs. Jordan Barton (7-2) Welterweight fight: Dante Schiro (9-3) vs. Luca Poclit (7-1)

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