Give it to Mickey Gall: The undefeated “Lookin’ For a Fight” Welterweight prospect is making the most of his sudden Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) opportunity. Shortly after he won the C.M. Punk sweepstakes with a submission win over Mike Jackson in his Octagon debut, the confident New Jersey native basked in the spotlight ahead of his showdown with the former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar at UFC 203. Then, shortly after routing Punk (watch it again here), Gall took to the microphone again and demanded his next fight, a showdown with fellow up-and-comer, Sage Northcutt.
Company President Dana White was not immediately sold on the idea. Northcutt wasn’t impressed with the idea, either, initially turning down the opportunity. But, Gall kept yapping, and eventually the fight was booked for UFC on FOX 22, which takes place at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Dec. 17, 2016.
Not one to apparently keep quiet, Gall continued his verbal assault more than two months ahead of their 170-pound clash.
“I’m gonna do a lot to him,” Gall informed TMZ.com (transcription via MMAFighting.com). “I don’t see this one being one round. I see this being longer than that and I’m gonna break his bones. I’m gonna hurt him bad. I’m gonna bust him up, break his bones, tear things. I’m gonna put a beating on him…His boxing sucks. His ground game is pretty bad. So there’s holes on both sides. I know how I’m gonna fight him. It’s gonna be bad for him. He’s gonna feel like crap.
“I don’t dislike him,” he said. “I think he’s very corny. I think he’s like a silly boy. I don’t know, I think he’s kind of a dork but I don’t hate him at all. I love him. I can’t wait to fight him, can’t wait to get my hands on him.”
Gall didn’t stop there, doubling down on his future with the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) league, claiming that eventually he will become a world champion. That’s quite a bold statement for a 24-year-old with just two UFC fights under his belt. But, if Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor have taught any fighters anything, it’s that the squeaky wheel often gets the grease.