5 Things You Might Not Know About Mickey Gall

After winning the “CM Punk” lottery and accepting a pay-per-view slot against the former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar, Mickey Gall capitalized on the moment and exposed the gap between a novice and a professional mixed martial artist. Gall dismantled Phil Brooks in a fight that did not even last half a round.

The New Jersey-born Gall followed his thrashing of Brooks with a rear-naked choke submission against Sage Northcutt. However, his momentum grinded to a halt at UFC 217, where he dropped a decision to Randy Brown. Currently 4-1, Gall will attempt to right his ship when he meets George Sullivan at UFC Fight Night 135 this Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska.

As Gall eyes his latest challenge, here are five things you might not know about the Miller Brothers standout:

1. He holds the rank of brown belt in Gracie jiu-jitsu.

Gall started boxing at the age of 13 and added another weapon to his arsenal when he started his Brazilian jiu-jitsu training at 16. A multiple-time North American Grappling Association and Grappler’s Quest champion, the Gracie jiu-jitsu brown belt credits his strategic thinking to professor David Adiv -- a man Rickson Gracie refers to as “The Brain.” Gall put all his skills together when he turned his attention to mixed martial arts at age 19.

2. He used to deliver bread for Walmart to fund his jiu-jitsu training.

Jiu-jitsu classes are not free. During his time as a Rutgers University student, Gall worked as a bread truck driver to pay for them. His passion appears to have paid off, as he transitioned from delivering buns to earning some substantial dough in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

3. He has a serious appetite for tortilla chips and salsa.

The Octagon is not the only high-profile stage upon which Gall has appeared. He was in a hilarious Super Bowl commercial for GoPuff. The ad shows Gall sitting in a salsa-filled pool with a gigantic bowl of chips -- a witty reference that makes use of a literal “super bowl.”

4. He makes his online presence felt.

Gall has embraced today’s social media-crazed world by remaining active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. His fan-friendly approach has raised his profile and built his brand, as he attempts to become a household name in MMA.

5. He maintains a brutal training regime.

Driven by his competitive fire, Gall never gets out of shape. He keeps himself well-conditioned at all times, training for four hours a day on average. That level of discipline, when coupled with his physical gifts, could propel Gall into the upper tier of the welterweight division by the time he reaches his prime.