Mickey Gall ready to 'reintroduce myself as a man' in UFC return

Mickey Gall is poised for a comeback after nearly two years away from competition, with fatherhood serving as a catalyst for personal transformation. Gall will return to the Octagon on September 26 at UFC Fight Night 289, held at Meta Apex in Las Vegas, facing Sedriques Dumas in his first fight since late 2022.

The birth of his daughter, Sainty, shortly before his last UFC outing prompted Gall to reassess his priorities and mindset. Married to Kimberly Cortes Gall, the 7-7 fighter credits family responsibilities with forcing him to mature not just as a competitor but as a person. Gall entered the UFC in 2016 on only his second professional fight, weathering a turbulent career marked by inconsistent results. He was briefly released from the roster in 2022 after his contract expired, returned in 2024, then suffered two additional losses.

"I got an awesome daughter, an awesome wife, so I got to be an awesome dad, an awesome husband," Gall told Home of Fight. "I've been that and I love that; it brings me a lot of purpose. It made me grow up so much. When I came into this, I was a kid. I'm excited to reintroduce myself as a man now; I feel and know the difference now. It's forced me to level up myself. Not just as a fighter, but as a man."

Dumas (10-5) presents a seasoned opponent for Gall's return. The veteran was briefly released by the UFC in July following his sentencing on felony charges from the prior year. Dumas currently rides a three-fight skid marked entirely by finishes, making him a striker-versus-grappler matchup with implications for both fighters' immediate futures.