NEWARK, N.J. – Bassil Hafez beat Mickey Gall with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 302 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Take a look inside the fight with Hafez, who called out Jack Della Maddalena, whom he lost to nearly a year ago by split decision.
Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall
Result: Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Updated records: Hafez (9-4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Gall (7-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC)
Key stats: Hafez landed three takedowns.
Hafez on the fight's key moment
“My goal was to get a knockout. I’m not happy that I didn’t get the knockout. I know I put on a show for the fans. My goal was to get a finish. It’s always to get a finish. But I’m happy that I put on a ‘slobberknocker,’ as Joe (Rogan) called it. … I definitely was looking to strike with Mickey. I’m not a big fan of making a pissing contest with a (jiu-jitsu) black belt. I mean, he’s legit. I could have went and made a boring grappling match, but I wanted to get a knockout and I worked for that the whole fight. I didn’t get it, but I put on a good fight on the feet, and I’m just getting better. I’m going to keep tightening up my game and keep cleaning it up.”
Hafez on his first UFC win
“It’s a bit surreal. I’m still taking it all in. This is my second (UFC) fight, being in arena, everything – it’s something I’ve always dreamed of. I maybe had a little bit negative mindset coming up where you think, ‘Oh, maybe I won’t achieve my dreams,’ but I’m living my dreams right now. My goal is to continue to live my dreams and make sure I stay here. I’m so grateful to be in the best organization in the UFC and I’m just taking it all in. It’s amazing. It’s a great feeling. Good feeling talking to you guys. It’s uh cool to finally see faces, because the voices I always just hear in the interviews.”
These two have been SWINGING 👊 #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/1TcFAVSpY7
— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2024
Hafez on what he wants next
“My (UFC) debut was a crazy debut (in 2023). It just felt great to have a full camp. I’m grateful that UFC gave me the opportunity. … I definitely wanted to fight sooner. I think Mickey needed a time frame, and that’s why I ended up fighting so far away from my debut. My debut (against Jack Della Maddalena) was great. I fought a guy who I had a lot of respect for and I look forward to working my way up and getting that rematch one day. This was a great fight as well, and I’m going to be grateful and cherish every single UFC opportunity I get.”
To hear more from Hafez, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.
