Newark – UFC welterweight Bassil Hafez earned his first UFC victory when he beat Mickey Gall at UFC 302 on Saturday night in a tough 15-minute bout.
“My goal was to get a knockout. I’m not happy (that) I didn’t get the knockout,” Hafez told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“I put a show on for the fans. My goal was to get a finish, always to get a finish, but I’m happy that I put on a slobber knocker as Joe called it, meeting Joe Rogan was awesome, but yeah man I definitely was looking to strike with Mickey.”
Hafez (9-4-1) faced a Gall that had been working his striking and many had said he had developed a good jab. Hafez ate all of Gall’s shots and more to land his own devastating strikes.
“He hit hard, but not as hard as JDM (Jack Della Maddalena) hit, and regardless I believe in my chin. I’m going to die on my sword. If I get knocked out out there I get knocked out. I train with guys like Justin Gaethje. It’s something that I’m just going to be getting used to,” he said.
Compared to his UFC debut this fight was likely the one he should have fought first. Getting a short notice bout against JDM at the UFC APEX was a wild debut for Hafez.
“My debut was a crazy debut. It felt great to have a full camp. I’m grateful the UFC gave me the opportunity,” he said.
“I look forward to working my way up and getting that rematch (with JDM) one day.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Bassil Hafez above.
