Sunderland MMA fighter Cal Pacino set for biggest Bellator bout to date which will be screened on Channel 5

The 28-year-old will take on James "The Strabanimal" Gallagher on the Irish fighter’s home turf of Dublin in a headline Bellator clash on Saturday, February 22.

It was a fight that almost didn’t happen for the Grindon-born dad-of-two after an incorrect reading of a brain scan last year left him facing retirement.

The bantamweight fighter has since been given the all clear and says he can’t wait to finally get in the cage with Gallagher after their head-to-head last year was postponed.

Speaking about his opponent at the much-anticipated fight, which will be televised on Channel 5, Cal said: “He’s arrogant and cocky, but he’s good though, he’s a good grappler. He’s the biggest European name in Bellator, but stylistically I’ve got the ability to beat him. We’re well matched and it’s going to be an interesting fight for sure.”

Cal, who lives in Roker, has fought in cages around the world, from Johannesburg to winning his last fight against Nathan Greyson on his home turf at the Utilita Arena last year. With six of his eight wins coming via submission, fans can expect a good show, but Cal says this will be the biggest one to date.

Speaking from Unit 1 Martial Arts and Fitness in Seaham, where he trains with Team Fish Tank, the fighter said: “Winning this fight will change my life. I feel like I’ve worked my whole life to get to this stage.”

Cal is one in a raft of successful MMA fighters to come from Sunderland including fellow current Bellator fighter Ryan Scope, as well as Ross Pearson, Colin Fletcher and Phil De Fries who all fought in UFC and Andrew Fisher who also fought with Bellator.

In his teenage years, Cal’s discipline was boxing but it was when he started grappling on the mats in a back room at The Olympian gym in Grangetown that he discovered his passion for MMA.

He turned pro at 21 and now trains daily at Unit 1, as well as at North East Jiu Jitsu in Washington.

Speaking about why Wearside has become a breeding ground for so many notable fighters, Cal, who is dad to Jessie, two, and Tommy, eight months, said: “It’s a really close knit community and we all help each other here – iron sharpens iron.

“Unlike other places it’s not gifted to you in Sunderland, you really need to work for it and it gives us a harder work ethic that pays off.”

*Gallagher vs Ellenor takes place at 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday, February 22. Tickets available here.