Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Mickey Gall is a name you’ll recognize instantly. The Sea has carved out a notable career in the octagon despite facing significant challenges and setbacks. From his humble beginnings in New Jersey to his memorable victories over high-profile opponents, Gall’s journey represents both the highs and lows of professional MMA competition.
Mickey Gall’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Michael “Mickey” Gall |
| Nickname | “The Sea” |
| Date of Birth | January 22, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Birthplace | Green Brook Township, New Jersey, USA |
| College/Education | Rutgers University |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) during fights |
| Turned Professional | November 21, 2015 |
| Net Worth | $2.5 million |
| Fight Purses | $85,000 – $150,000 |
| Spouse | Married to Kimberly Gall |
| Wife’s Background | Kimberly is a 28-year-old model from Puerto Rico with Costa Rican roots |
| Children | One daughter named Sainty |
| Instagram Profile | @mickeygall |
| Team/Gym | Kill Cliff FC (based in Florida), Gracie New Jersey Academy |
Early Career
Mickey Gall’s introduction to combat sports began at age 13 when he started boxing training. By age 16, he transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, discovering his true passion for grappling and submission techniques. As a student at Watchung Hills Regional High School, Gall excelled as a wrestler and served as the football team’s captain.
His multisport background provided him with diverse athletic skills that would later translate into his MMA success. He accumulated multiple NAGA and Grapplers Quest championship titles, establishing himself as an elite grappler among peers. After high school, he enrolled at Rutgers University while continuing his BJJ training at local academies. His amateur MMA record stood at 3-0 before making the leap to professional competition.
Professional Career
Mickey Gall burst onto the professional MMA scene with an impressive performance at Dead Serious MMA 17 on November 21, 2015, submitting Ron Templeton in the first round. His impressive debut caught the attention of UFC officials, leading to a featured appearance on Dana White’s reality show “Lookin’ for a Fight.” Winning that opportunity propelled him directly into the UFC, where he made his promotional debut on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82. Gall’s first UFC outing was spectacular—he knocked down opponent Mike Jackson within seconds and secured a rear-naked choke submission in just 45 seconds, instantly making waves in the welterweight division.
His early UFC run featured several notable victories. In September 2016, Gall faced WWE superstar CM Punk at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio. Punk was making his UFC debut after transitioning from professional wrestling, and the matchup generated significant mainstream attention. Gall dominated the encounter, submitting Punk with a rear-naked choke in the first round at 2:14, cementing his status as a legitimate UFC threat. He continued his winning streak with a second-round submission victory over Sage Northcutt at UFC on Fox 22 in December 2016, showcasing his technical superiority against another hyped prospect.
However, as his career progressed, Gall encountered tougher competition and suffered several losses to established welterweights including Randy Brown, Diego Sanchez, and Mike Perry. A catastrophic back injury sustained during his UFC 273 loss to Mike Malott in April 2022 forced him out of action and temporarily removed him from the UFC roster. After rehabilitation and time away from competition, Gall made his return to the octagon in 2024, demonstrating resilience and determination to continue his fighting career.
Wife
Mickey Gall is married to Kimberly Gall, a model from Puerto Rico. The couple has been together for several years, though the exact details of how they met remain private. They welcomed their first child, daughter Sainty, on September 20, 2024. Mickey has spoken openly about the transformative experience of becoming a father, describing it as giving him additional motivation and purpose beyond fighting. He’s mentioned that fatherhood has made him more conscious about building wealth and security for his family, particularly regarding proper health insurance and providing opportunities for his daughter.
The birth of Sainty occurred during an interesting time in Mickey’s career—just weeks before his bout against Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden. Despite the demands of new fatherhood, Gall remained committed to his training and preparation, demonstrating his ability to balance family responsibilities with professional obligations.
Mickey Gall’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Mickey Gall’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $2.5 million. This figure derives from several income streams accumulated over his UFC career. His fight purses have increased substantially over the years as he progressed through the promotion, ranging from $10,000 in his 2016 debut to as much as $150,000 guaranteed purse for recent UFC main card appearances. Performance bonuses have occasionally boosted his earnings, though these aren’t guaranteed. Additionally, sponsorship deals and appearance fees through platforms like Opendorse contribute to his overall wealth.
For his UFC 309 bout against Ramiz Brahimaj in November 2024, Gall was guaranteed a purse of $150,000, with an additional $100,000 potential win bonus and roughly $11,000 in sponsorship pay. Over his career spanning roughly nine years in professional MMA, Gall has accumulated significant earnings, though medical expenses related to his 2022 back injury and training costs have consumed portions of his income. His current marketability remains solid, with over 251,000 Instagram followers providing value for brand partnerships and paid promotional content.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Date | Base Purse | Win Bonus | Total Reported |
| Ron Templeton | Dead Serious MMA 17 | Nov 21, 2015 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mike Jackson | UFC Fight Night 82 | Feb 6, 2016 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| CM Punk | UFC 203 | Sep 10, 2016 | $12,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Sage Northcutt | UFC on Fox 22 | Dec 17, 2016 | $18,000 | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| Randy Brown | UFC 217 | Nov 4, 2017 | $24,000 | Loss (N/A) | $24,000 |
| George Sullivan | UFC Fight Night 135 | Aug 25, 2018 | $30,000 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Diego Sanchez | UFC 235 | Mar 2, 2019 | $48,000 | Loss (N/A) | $48,000 |
| Salim Touahri | UFC on ESPN 5 | Aug 3, 2019 | $60,000 | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| Mike Perry | UFC on ESPN 12 | Jun 27, 2020 | $75,000 | Loss (N/A) | $75,000 |
| Jordan Williams | UFC on ESPN 27 | Jul 24, 2021 | $85,000 | $85,000 | $170,000 |
| Alex Morono | UFC on ESPN 31 | Dec 4, 2021 | $110,000 | Loss (N/A) | $110,000 |
| Mike Malott | UFC 273 | Apr 9, 2022 | $110,000 | Loss (N/A) | $110,000 |
| Bassil Hafez | UFC 302 | Jun 1, 2024 | $85,000 | Loss (N/A) | $85,000 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | UFC 309 | Nov 16, 2024 | $150,000 | Loss (N/A) | $150,000 |
Endorsements
- Kill Cliff FC – Gall has been associated with the Kill Cliff Fight Club training facility in Florida, where he maintains his training camp and works with elite coaches.
- Gracie New Jersey Academy – Listed as an affiliated member and instructor (black belt level) at the prestigious Gracie academy in New Jersey.
- Opendorse – Maintains an active profile for personalized appearances, autographs, and social media collaborations ($73+ for shoutouts, $161+ for social posts, $408+ for appearances, $477+ for autographs).
- UFC Performance Institute – Association with UFC’s official training and recovery facilities during fight camps.
- Various local New Jersey sponsorships – Through his hometown connections and status as a notable athlete from Green Brook.
Career Records
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Method | Round/Time | Record After Fight |
| Ron Templeton | Dead Serious MMA 17 | Nov 21, 2015 | Win | RNC Submission | 1:2:53 | 1-0 |
| Mike Jackson | UFC Fight Night 82 | Feb 6, 2016 | Win | RNC Submission | 1:0:45 | 2-0 |
| CM Punk | UFC 203 | Sep 10, 2016 | Win | RNC Submission | 1:2:14 | 3-0 |
| Sage Northcutt | UFC on Fox 22 | Dec 17, 2016 | Win | RNC Submission | 2:1:40 | 4-0 |
| Randy Brown | UFC 217 | Nov 4, 2017 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3:5:00 | 4-1 |
| George Sullivan | UFC Fight Night 135 | Aug 25, 2018 | Win | RNC Submission | 1:1:09 | 5-1 |
| Diego Sanchez | UFC 235 | Mar 2, 2019 | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 2:4:13 | 5-2 |
| Salim Touahri | UFC on ESPN 5 | Aug 3, 2019 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3:5:00 | 6-2 |
| Mike Perry | UFC on ESPN 12 | Jun 27, 2020 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3:5:00 | 6-3 |
| Jordan Williams | UFC on ESPN 27 | Jul 24, 2021 | Win | RNC Submission | 1:2:57 | 7-3 |
| Alex Morono | UFC on ESPN 31 | Dec 4, 2021 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3:5:00 | 7-4 |
| Mike Malott | UFC 273 | Apr 9, 2022 | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 1:3:41 | 7-5 |
| Bassil Hafez | UFC 302 | Jun 1, 2024 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3:5:00 | 7-6 |
| Ramiz Brahimaj | UFC 309 | Nov 16, 2024 | Loss | KO (Punches) | 1:2:55 | 7-7 |
FAQs
1. What is Mickey Gall’s fighting style known for?
Mickey Gall is primarily known for his exceptional grappling skills and submission wrestling. His signature move is the rear-naked choke, which he has successfully executed in six professional victories. He combines traditional wrestling background with elite-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, making him dangerous in both takedown scenarios and ground control situations. While his stand-up striking has improved over his career, his true strengths lie on the mat.
2. How did Mickey Gall get his nickname “The Sea”?
While the exact origin story of his “The Sea” nickname hasn’t been explicitly detailed in public interviews, it’s been attributed to his fluid, flowing grappling style and his ability to control opponents like an ocean current controls water. Some sources suggest it relates to his New Jersey shore connections and coastal New Jersey roots, though Gall hasn’t confirmed the exact etymology in major interviews.
3. What was the significance of Mickey Gall’s CM Punk fight?
The CM Punk bout represented a major mainstream moment for UFC. CM Punk, a former professional wrestler turned MMA fighter, was attempting to prove himself in combat sports. Gall’s dominant first-round submission victory not only cemented his status as a legitimate UFC threat but also captured mainstream media attention, bringing professional wrestling fans and MMA audiences together. It was a breakout moment that established Gall as a rising star in the sport.
4.How serious was Mickey Gall’s 2022 back injury?
Mickey’s back injury sustained during his UFC 273 fight against Mike Malott was severe enough to sideline him for approximately two years. He broke his back, which required medical treatment and rehabilitation. During this period, he was removed from the UFC roster and spent considerable time recovering before attempting his return in 2024. His wife Kimberly provided crucial support during this dark chapter of his career.
5. Why is Mickey Gall considered underutilized in the UFC?
Despite his elite-level submission grappling skills and notable victories over recognized opponents, Gall hasn’t achieved championship contention status in the UFC. Some analysts attribute this to inconsistent performances against diverse fighters, losses to mid-tier competition, and injuries that disrupted his career momentum. His fighting record of 7-7 in the UFC shows instability when facing wrestlers and diverse striking styles, which has limited his title picture aspirations.
6. What was Mickey Gall’s experience appearing on Dana White’s “Lookin’ for a Fight”?
Mickey Gall’s appearance on Dana White’s YouTube series “Lookin’ for a Fight” was transformative for his early career. He competed for a UFC contract and impressed White enough to earn his promotional debut. This platform was crucial in establishing Gall among UFC fans and media, giving him opportunities that might not have materialized through traditional scouting channels. His success on the show exemplified the series’ purpose of identifying untapped talent.
7. How does Mickey Gall’s submission rate compare to other UFC welterweights?
Mickey Gall’s 6 submission victories out of 7 total wins (86% finish rate) places him among elite submission specialists within the welterweight division. His six rear-naked choke victories in particular represent one of the highest concentrations of single-technique victories in the division’s history. However, fighters who face him with strong submission defense and diverse wrestling backgrounds have found success against him, as his recent losses demonstrate.
8. What is Mickey Gall’s training environment and coaching team?
Mickey trains at Kill Cliff FC in Florida, a gym that has developed several notable UFC fighters. His training camp includes experienced coaches specializing in grappling, wrestling, and boxing. He also maintains connections with Gracie New Jersey Academy, where he began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey. His coaching team has helped him work on expanding his skill set beyond submissions, particularly focusing on stand-up boxing and wrestling defense against elite-level opponents.
9. How has becoming a father changed Mickey Gall’s approach to fighting?
Mickey Gall has openly discussed how welcoming his daughter Sainty in September 2024 transformed his perspective on fighting and career earnings. Fatherhood gave him renewed motivation to secure better contracts and fight bonuses, pushing him to maximize his financial security. He mentioned wanting to provide excellent health insurance, education opportunities, and a comfortable life for his family. This responsibility has reportedly influenced his training intensity and professional commitment.
10. What are Mickey Gall’s realistic prospects for returning to title contention?
Given Gall’s recent losing streak and injuries, returning to title contention appears unlikely in the near term. Welterweight is one of the UFC’s deepest divisions, with elite strikers dominating recent rankings. Gall would need a significant winning streak against ranked opponents to work back into contention. At 33 years old with a 7-7 UFC record, he faces challenges regaining momentum, though his submission skills remain dangerous against specific fighter matchups.