Gall dispatched of Sage Northcutt last night in UFC Sacramento and confirmed his plan to hold McGregor’s belt within two years
UFC on Fox 22 in Sacramento saw the 24 year old prospect submit ‘Super’ Sage Northcutt to earn him a 3-0 record in the promotion.
While it may be too early to suggest a hype train is ready to gather pace, Gall’s latest victory against Northcutt (8-2) is a positive step towards more recognition and bigger fights. His latest opponent had won three of his four UFC fights, and is a well known name in MMA, due to his impressive striking and flair for showmanship.
Mickey Gall has high hopes
It took the New Jersey man less than two rounds to dispatch the younger Texan: Gall looked comfortable in a lopsided first round, and ended the contest in the second via rear-naked choke. The man who defeated C.M Punk at UFC 203 was positive in his post-fight interview, telling Brian Stann (and the MMA world) the name he wants next:
“I’m gonna drop down to 155 – I’m a little young in the tooth for 170. I think I’ll go down there, I’ll be the champion in a couple of years”.
When asked who is next, the Gracie New Jersey fighter said:
“I’d like to welcome back Dan Hardy – he’s coming back, and said he wants a marquee fight. Name a marquee fight right now? I’d be honoured to fight him, he’s a legend. I’d love to fight him”
Due to a heart condition, Hardy (34) has not fought since a 2012 decision victory over Amir Sadollah in Nottingham, England. It remains to be seen if he will step back into the octagon in 2017, so Gall may need to focus his attentions elsewhere for now. “The Outlaw” did have a response to the call out via twitter:
Was he old enough to watch the @UFC when I was still fighting? ?
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) December 18, 2016
Gall states that calling out Hardy was a “Hail Mary” which would assist in his ambition for bigger fights. McGregor’s name was also used as an example of how a fighter can find success when dropping down a weight class.
“I want to take out guys who have bigger names than me, who have more star power. Big names make nice trophies and I want some nice trophies, you know” said Gall.
“I plan on going down to 155. Making 170 is pretty easy; 155 will be pretty tough, but I think I’ll be the champion there. I like the way Conor went down [to featherweight] and suffered and made himself a champion, made himself a star. I think I can do the same thing”
“I’m tossing out the hail Mary. I’d love to see him [Hardy] come back. I’d love to see him fight me”
A future bout with Hardy would certainly garner further exposure for the young fighter, who is looking forward to a bright future in the UFC. If he will have what it takes to displace McGregor and the rest of a stacked 155 pound division, however, will take more time to determine.