5 reasons why you need to watch UFC Vegas 32: Cory Sandhagen vs. T.J. Dillashaw

#4 Mickey Gall remains an intriguing prospect to watch

Mickey Gall's win over CM Punk made him a fighter to watch in the UFC

When Mickey Gall arrived in the UFC, he did so against arguably the lowest-level opponents possible in the form of Michael Jackson and CM Punk. But the way he won those fights still suggested that he could develop into a future star.

The cmpunk fight was my lottery ticket. It changed my life, made dreams come true, and gave me opportunities that I only imagined. I’m grateful. I’m lucky that cmpunk was bad ass & brave… https://t.co/XIv9SCDYbt

— Mickey Gall (@mickeygall) September 11, 2018

The years that have followed haven’t been quite as kind to the New Jersey native. Gall is now 5-2 in the UFC, and hasn’t won a fight since his 2019 win over Salim Touahri.

However, he’s still an intriguing prospect to watch, thanks to his slick grappling skills, raw athleticism and sheer toughness. Gall has also reportedly been working heavily on his stand-up, to the point where he’s suggested that he’ll be looking for a knockout this weekend against Jordan Williams.

And unlike some of his previous opponents, Williams looks like the kind of foe who Gall should at least be capable of beating. He’s got slightly more experience, but has only fought once in the UFC – a loss to Nassourdine Imavov last October.

Were Gall a fighter with less of a spotlight around him, this fight probably wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. But thanks to his win over CM Punk, Gall remains a recognizable name and one that could still become a semi-star for the UFC. And with a win this weekend, he could definitely get back on that trajectory.

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#3 Kyler Phillips might be a special talent in the UFC’s bantamweight division

Kyler Phillips may well be a special talent at 135lbs

Thanks to the main event pitting T.J. Dillashaw against Cory Sandhagen, the UFC’s men’s bantamweight division has all the spotlight at UFC Vegas 32. But Dillashaw and Sandhagen won’t be the only 135lbers looking to make an impact. That’s because rising star Kyler Phillips is also fighting on the main card of the event, facing off with Brazilian grappler Raulian Paiva.

A former flyweight, Paiva’s record is a gaudy-looking one. He’s got 20 wins to his name with just three losses, but it’s worth noting that two of those losses came when he stepped up in competition in the UFC. Inside the octagon, he’s just 2-2.

This means that this could well be a chance for Phillips to really shine against what should be a very beatable opponent. ‘The Matrix’ is 3-0 in the UFC, but prior to his most recent fight, he was largely unheralded.

@Kymatrix is a big problem in the @ufc bantamweight division 🔥 the work never stop 🙏🏻 we’re coming #ufcfightnight pic.twitter.com/yaxF0OEVZL

— Augusto Tanquinho (@tanquinhojj) July 2, 2021

That changed when he showed some tremendous striking skill to outpoint the highly rated Song Yadong. The victory that moved him into the UFC’s top 15 at 135 pounds.

Given that Phillips’ initial reputation was for his grappling, it makes him a very interesting fighter to watch. ‘The Matrix’ didn’t bring a big record with him into the UFC, but he could be a special talent indeed.

If he can defeat Paiva at the weekend, and do it impressively, then not only might he move up the ladder, but he could definitely become a recognizable name too. His fight is almost definitely a must-see affair.