Two rising prospects will face off in the co-main event of tomorrow night’s (Dec. 17, 2016) UFC on FOX 22 card, as Mickey Gall battles Sage Northcutt. Gall, who’s most known for beating CM Punk last September, actually requested the bout, as he called out “Super Sage” at UFC 203. Leading up to the bout,
Two rising prospects will face off in the co-main event of tomorrow night’s (Dec. 17, 2016) UFC on FOX 22 card, as Mickey Gall battles Sage Northcutt. Gall, who’s most known for beating CM Punk last September, actually requested the bout, as he called out “Super Sage” at UFC 203.
Leading up to the bout, Gall has taken some shots at the smiling and polite Northcutt, and he recently said that “Super Sage” wouldn’t last in New Jersey, Gall’s home state:
“Not very long,” Gall told MMAFighting when asked at Thursday’s open workouts on how long Northcutt would last where Gall grew up. “He’d find himself in a locker. He’d probably kick his way out of a locker, I’ll give him that. … He seems very ingenuine. I say corny like a dork, but its an ingenuinty, he’s putting on.”
Despite his unique personality, however, Northcutt has seen success in the Octagon, as he currently boasts a 3-1 UFC record. Gall, on the other hand, is currently 2-0 under the UFC banner and he simply feels as if he is ‘better’ all around than the 20-year-old Texas native:
“I’m better on the feet, better on the ground, tougher than him, endurance, everything,” Gall said. “When we jump in the fire, he’s hopping out of the fire way before I am. … It could go quick. I’’m ready for three hard ones. I’m going to get the finish. I’d like to get a knockout in the first, but smart money is I’ll choke him out in the second.”
Who do you expect to come out on top in this bout?
The UFC returns with their second-to-last card of the year with tomorrow night’s (Sat., December 17, 2016) UFC on FOX 22 from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. While it may not be receiving the attention of Ronda Rousey’s long-awaited return in the main event of UFC 207 on December 30, UFC on FOX still presents a
The UFC returns with their second-to-last card of the year with tomorrow night’s (Sat., December 17, 2016) UFC on FOX 22 from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
While it may not be receiving the attention of Ronda Rousey’s long-awaited return in the main event of UFC 207 on December 30, UFC on FOX still presents a packed main card featuring the potential rise of two women’s strawweight stars, two more young welterweight talents, the final bout of longtime top contender Urijah Faber, and an opening bout set to feature all-out fireworks between Alan Jouban and Mike Perry.
All in all, it’s set to be an action-packed night that sets the stage for the massive curtain-closer on what has been a groundbreaking year for the sport of MMA.
Find out whom we picked to win the main and co-main below.
Paige VanZant vs. Michelle Waterson:
Mike Drahota:
This is a bout that’s perfect for a FOX card, as either VanZant or Waterson will be made into one of MMA’s major future stars in front of a large audience, and a back-and-forth fight will boost both women’s popularity exponentially. I think ’12 Gauge’ is one of the toughest outs in the 115-pound division, although that can lead her to take too much damage, like in her bout with Rose Namajunas. She showed some flashy knockout ability in her most recent win over Bec Rawlings, yet the victory masked some deficiencies in her game.
It’s true Waterson has the experience edge on VanZant overall, however, “The Karate Hottie” still has much to prove after only UFC win over Angela Magana in July 2015. Injuries seem to be the only thing holding the former Invicta champion from rapidly climbing the rankings, and she clearly has all the tools to do just that. While she needs to shake the rust of only two fights in over two years, I think Waterson has the fight smarts and well-rounded technique to outlast the brute assault of ’12 Gauge.’ Waterson by unanimous decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
In this strawweight main event, I have to say I really like Paige VanZant’s chances. She’s really starting to grow as a fighter, and what we saw in her last fight was nothing short of incredible. She’s proved to be durable in the past too. Michelle Waterson undoubtedly has her chops in the striking, and has showed rapid improvement in the submission game too. It’s more of a gut pick for me, and I’m taking PVZ by decision.
Mike Henken:
A key factor that went into my prediction for this fight was Waterson’s injuries and lengthy layoff, as she hasn’t competed since July 2015, while VanZant has competed three times during that time. I feel as if “The Karate Hottie” is undoubtedly the more polished striker and she comes from one of the best camps in the world in Jackson’s MMA. I simply feel as if “12 Gauge” will look to push the pace and attempt to out grapple Waterson, which is why I see her securing a victory in her adopted home of Sacramento. VanZant by unanimous decision.
Mandatory Credit Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports
Sage Northcutt vs. Mickey Gall:
Mike Drahota:
It seems like there’s a trend for this card, as the co-main event also features a match between two highly marketable potential future stars. Northcutt has been groomed to be just that ever since he cam into the UFC on the heels of his discovery n Dana White’s “Looking For A Fight,” and Gall was famously CM Punk’s first opponent in the UFC, decimating the former WWE champ with a brutal first-round submission at September’s UFC 203.
Each fighter will become a sudden big name in the incredibly talented welterweight division, but they won’t necessarily quite be contenders just yet. Regardless, I see Northcutt possessing a distinct edge in the striking here, because even though Gall often talks about his striking, he’s a grappler at heart. That are is Northcutt’s one weakness we’ve seen, with his only UFC loss coming to an arm-triangle choke from Bryan Barberena that seemed barely locked in, also at welterweight. I believe Northcutt could end this with a vicious flurry, but ultimately Gall will be too smart to get tagged and take the fight to the ground for a submission attempt. Gall by second round submission.
Rory Kernaghan:
Sage Northcutt’s only loss in the UFC so far came in the welterweight division, so it’s surprising to see him move up from lightweight again here. Mickey Gall, well we’ve really only seen him against CM Punk, which doesn’t say much in terms of how he’ll fare against someone who can fight. 3-0 as a professional, I can’t help but think Northcutt is a little too much to chew at this stage in Gall’s career. Both men are very likeable, but I expect a war in this bout. Northcutt with a grizzly third round TKO.
Mike Henken:
In my opinion, this fight could go either way. Both fighters are rising talents and both have a chance to win this fight. Gall likely has the grappling advantage and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him tap Northcutt out. Gall will also be the bigger man, although “Super Sage” will undoubtedly have the striking advantage. I expect to see Northcutt stick and move and if he can keep the fight standing, I see him taking this one. Northcutt via unanimous decision.
Heading to Sacramento, California this weekend, the UFC brings us a fun night of fights from the lighter weight divisions. UFC on FOX 22 will feature a number of rising prospects and also the retirement fight of Urijah Faber. ‘The California Kid’ will battle Brad Pickett, after which Faber will hang up the gloves. Going
Heading to Sacramento, California this weekend, the UFC brings us a fun night of fights from the lighter weight divisions. UFC on FOX 22 will feature a number of rising prospects and also the retirement fight of Urijah Faber. ‘The California Kid’ will battle Brad Pickett, after which Faber will hang up the gloves. Going to war in the main event are strawweight stars Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson. ’12 Gauge’ last saw action with a stunning KO over Bec Rawlings, and ‘Karate Hottie’ returns from a year out following knee surgery.
Promising young martial artists Sage Northcutt and Mickey Gall meet in the co-main event. Their hilariously respectful trash talk will come to a head, as their battle of the hair styles features in the welterweight division. Fan favorites Alan Jouban and Mike ‘Platinum’ Perry open the main card in California.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The early weigh-ins are scheduled for 9AM PT, that’s 12 noon ET, and will take place in the host hotel. Either join us here for the early results stream, or check in later for the traditional scales show. The hydrated stream starts at 7 PM ET, and watch for Mike Perry’s weigh-in antics, which are quickly becoming his trademark.
Watch the Fight Night Sacramento official weigh-in on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7pm/4pm ETPT live from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
Before we get to UFC 207 and the return of Ronda Rousey, we’ve got to get through UFC on FOX 22 this Saturday night.
But honestly, the card is really a pretty pleasant surprise for this…
Before we get to UFC 207 and the return of Ronda Rousey, we’ve got to get through UFC on FOX 22 this Saturday night.
But honestly, the card is really a pretty pleasant surprise for this late in the year.
In the main event, strawweight contenders Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson will square off, while the co-main pits Sage Northcutt against Mickey Gall.
Add in the likes of Urijah Faber, Cole Miller, Bryan Barberena and Eddie Wineland scattered throughout, and Saturday should be a fun night.
Here’s a quick look at predictions for each fight and a guess on the “Fight Night” bonuses, as well:
UFC Fight Pass Prelim Card
Bojan Velickovic over Sultan Aliev via split decision
Fredy Serrano over Hector Sandoval via second round TKO
Takeya Mizugaki over Eddie Wineland via first round submission
FOX Sports 1 Prelim Card
Irene Aldana over Leslie Smith via unanimous decision
Josh Emmett over Scott Holtzman via second round TKO
Alex Morono over James Moontasri via split decision
Colby Covington over Bryan Barberena via first round submission
Cole Miller over Mizuto Hirota via third round submission
Luis Henrique da Silva over Paul Craig via first round TKO
FOX Main Card
Mike Perry over Alan Jouban via second round KO
Urijah Faber over Brad Pickett via first round submission
Mickey Gall over Sage Northcutt via third round TKO
Paige VanZant over Michelle Waterson via second round TKO
Fight of the Night: Irene Aldana and Leslie Smith Performance of the Night: Paige VanZant and Urijah Faber
The UFC may have found themselves a new star in the form of welterweight Mickey Gall, who took out former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star CM Punk in his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut at UFC 203 in September. Gall, a 24-year-old Brazilian jiu jitsu brown belt fighting out of Green Brook, New Jersey, recently
The UFC may have found themselves a new star in the form of welterweight Mickey Gall, who took out former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star CM Punk in his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut at UFC 203 in September.
Gall, a 24-year-old Brazilian jiu jitsu brown belt fighting out of Green Brook, New Jersey, recently joined Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour (courtesy of MMA Fighting) to discuss his upcoming match-up with Sage Northcutt at this weekend’s UFC on FOX 22 event.
During the appearance Gall was asked how he thought Punk will fare in a second go-around inside the Octagon if the UFC allows him to compete under their banner once again:
“I think he’ll be dealt (with) the same way I dealt him,” Gall said. “If he fights a UFC caliber guy, I think they’ll do it in the same way. So I think in hindsight, he probably should’ve taken some regional fights, amateur fighters, smaller shows. But I think that’s ballsy of him to want to come back.”
Although Gall admits Punk’s name from the massive pro wrestling world will certainly bring new eyes to the sport, he also believes that allowing such an inexperienced fighter to compete in the sport’s ultimate proving ground ‘waters down’ the sport a bit:
“I don’t know. I mean, he’s definitely going to help your pay-per-view and he brings that other audience,” Gall said. “But for kinda the legitimacy of the sport, I think it may water it down a little bit.”
Gall got his crack at the UFC by calling out CM Punk during an episode of UFC President Dana White’s Lookin For A Fight, a bout White granted him after a win over Mike Jackson at UFC Fight Night 82 in February. Now that Gall has moved on from the CM Punk saga and is on his way to bigger and brighter things, he looks to propel himself even further into stardom in the MMA world with a win over fellow top prospect Sage Northcutt.
Gall and Northcutt will meet at UFC on FOX 22 from the Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento, California on Saturday night (December 17, 2016).
You can check out Gall’s full interview on The MMA Hour here:
Hollywood big-shot Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reciprocated some props after becoming aware of a recent Mickey Gall video clip.
Seen below is a tweet posted by the former WWE Superstar turned A-list actor, who responded to a video where Gall, the UFC …
Hollywood big-shot Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reciprocated some props after becoming aware of a recent Mickey Gall video clip.
Seen below is a tweet posted by the former WWE Superstar turned A-list actor, who responded to a video where Gall, the UFC contender famous for defeating former WWE Superstar CM Punk in his UFC debut earlier this year, called him a hero of his.
“[Love] this tough bastard [Mickey Gall] and his attitude,” wrote Johnson, an avid UFC fan. “Appreciate the [love]. Tequila’s on me brother.”
Gall meets fellow “Dana White: Lookin’ For A Fight” star Sage Northcutt at this Saturday’s UFC On FOX event, which features Paige VanZant vs. Michelle Waterson in the main event, as well as the retirement fight of MMA legend and former UFC title contender Urijah Faber, who meets hard-hitting Brad “One-Punch” Pickett.
