Mickey Gall went to decision for the first time in his career at UFC Newark, winning a close fight against Salim Touahri.
Mickey Gall is fighting at home at UFC Newark, taking a short-notice fight against Salim Touahri after Touahri’s original opponent, Zelim Imadaev, pulled out of the contest.
Mickey Gall wasted no time closing the distance, getting inside and landing a punch on the way in before eating one. Gall kept Salim Touahri pinned against the cage and slowly worked his way to Touahri’s back. After a brief pause in action due to a kick to a grounded opponent’s head from Gall, Gall took Touahri down and rode out the round with back control and some ground-and-pound.
Cageside Press scored the first round 10-9 Mickey Gall
Gall shot for a takedown immediately in the second round which was resisted by Touahri. Gall landed a hook on the exit, then clinched up with Touahri against the cage. Nothing came of it, and the two got back to the center of the Octagon. Hard punches landed for both fighters then a head kick for Gall. Gall went in for a single leg, nearly got it down, but was reversed by Touahri on the way down. Touahri had half guard briefly before Gall established butterflies. Gall was caught with a couple heavy shots before working his way to the feet and landing a slew of big elbows. Gall went for the guillotine but fell to his back, which allowed Touahri to end the round in side control.
Cageside Press scored the second round 10-9 Salim Touahri
Gall started the final round with a nice hook, but ate a stiff jab from Touahri on the way back. A combination landed for Touahri, then another. It seemed as if Touahri was taking over at this point, utilizing great body-head combinations. Another big shot landed for Touahri before he went for the takedown. Gall countered with a headlock and the fighters returned to the feet. Gall pushed Touahri against the cage and had his back, but Touahri spun out before getting grounded. A combination landed for Touahri on the exit, then an exchange of punches occurred before another back clinch for Gall. Touahri ended up in top position after Gall slipped off his back. After a pair of shots by Touahri, Gall stood up and landed a takedown in the final seconds.
Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Salim Touahri (29-28 Touahri)
Mickey Gall def. Salim Touahri by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
After the fight, Mickey Gall called out Diego Sanchez to run back their UFC 235 contest as Gall was sick heading into it.
Check out all the results from UFC Newark here!
