Reese Gets Past Gall on All Three Cards Despite a Point Lost

Zachary Reese won a unanimous decision over Mickey Gall at UFC Vegas 123 on Saturday, even after Herb Dean took a point from him in the opening round. All three judges scored it 29-27.

Two fighters needing a result

The fight was a middleweight bout. Gall was back in the octagon for the first time since 2024 and was trying to end a four-fight losing streak. He also moved up to 185 pounds after a long run at welterweight. Reese had lost both of his fights so far in 2026 and wanted to rebound.

The point deduction

Round one was close. Reese landed a clean kick to the body about a minute in. Gall then rushed in with a right hand and was poked in the eye on the way. Referee Herb Dean paused the action and took a point from Reese. It was his first offense, and it left him behind in the round.

Reese stuffed a takedown and landed a barrage of punches as Gall exited. Gall connected with a left hook that caught Reese's attention, and Reese answered with a knee in the clinch. The report felt momentum leaned toward Gall after those five minutes.

Reese takes over

In round two Reese pushed Gall to the fence and landed elbows. He used his length better than in earlier fights, with a jab and a front kick to the body that kept landing. Midway through, a straight left backed Gall against the fence. Gall swung a looping right that grazed Reese's jaw.

Round three decided the fight, because of the point already lost. Reese worked into the clinch and landed a damaging knee to the head. He followed with about six punches against the fence. Gall, who is 37, seemed to wear down late, though he kept throwing big right hands until the final horn. Reese seemed the more active fighter in the round.

The scorecards

The judges all scored the bout 29-27 for Reese. The report called it a much needed win for him.

Our view

The deduction came in a close round and could have mattered. The scorecards show it did not. Whether this starts a turnaround for him, and what comes next for Gall after his return, are questions the report leaves open.

Source: Cageside Press