Walel Watson

Last updated
Walel Watson
Born (1984-07-16) July 16, 1984 (age 39)
El Paso, Texas, United States
Other namesThe Gazelle
The Pharaoh
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight140 lb (64 kg; 10 st)
Division Featherweight
Bantamweight
Reach75.0 in (191 cm) [1]
Fighting out of San Diego, California
TeamTeam Bodyshop MMA [2]
Years active2008-2019
Mixed martial arts record
Total30
Wins15
By knockout3
By submission12
Losses15
By knockout5
By submission7
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Walel Watson (born July 16, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist. A professional since 2008, he has fought in the UFC, Titan FC, and Tachi Palace Fights.

Contents

MMA career

Watson made his professional debut in 2008 for MMA Xtreme in Mexico at the age of 24. He lost his debut via submission, but went undefeated in his next 7 bouts and never going to the third round. Prior to joining the UFC, he amassed a record of 8 wins and 2 losses.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In August 2011, it was announced that Watson signed with the UFC.

Watson's UFC debut took place against Joseph Sandoval on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus 6. [3] He was successful in his debut, winning the fight early via TKO in the first round.

In his second fight, Watson faced Yves Jabouin on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140. [4] After three close rounds Watson lost a controversial split decision.

Watson returned quickly to face T.J. Dillashaw on February 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1. [5] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Watson was defeated by Mitch Gagnon on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152 via first round rear naked choke. [6]

After posting a 1–3 record inside the promotion, Watson was released from the UFC. [7]

Post-UFC career

A short two months after his UFC release, Watson signed on to face Anthony Moore at Xplode Fight Series: Damage on November 17, 2012. He won the fight via first-round TKO. [8] Watson then made a quick turnaround and faced Joey Apodaca at XFS: Vengeance on January 19, 2013. He won the fight via guillotine choke submission, just under twenty-seconds into the first round.

Watson faced Tom Niinimäki at Cage 23 on September 21, 2013. [9] He lost the fight via kimura submission.

He then faced Rodrigo Almeida at CZ 46: Throwdown at The Rock on November 22, 2013. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [10] In his latest fight, Watson submitted William Joplin at Titan FC 28: Brilz vs. Davis on May 16, 2014. [11]

Watson is expected to face Anthony Gutierrez at Titan FC 30 on September 26, 2014. [12] Watson defeated Gutierrez by Submission in the first round.

On March 20, 2015, he faced Brett Johns for the inaugural Titan FC Bantamweight Championship at Titan FC 33. He lost the fight via submission in the second round. [13]

Watson faced Ricardo Palacios at Golden Boy Promotions' inaugural MMA event on November 24, 2018. [14] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. [15]

After a long layoff, Watson returned against Marvin Garcia on January 14, 2023 at LXF 8, winning the bout via first round guillotine. Less than two month later, Watson faced Serhiy Sidey for the BTC Bantamweight Championship at BTC 19 on March 18, 2023, losing the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round. [16]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
30 matches15 wins15 losses
By knockout35
By submission127
By decision03
By disqualification00
Unknown00
Draws0
No contests0
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss15–15Tariq IsmailTKO (punches)Durham Fight Series 1June 3, 202321:44 Oshawa, Canada
Loss15–14Serhiy SideyTKO (punches)BTC 19March 18, 202313:05 Kingston, CanadaReturn to Bantamweight. For the vacant BTC Bantamweight Championship.
Win15–13Marvin GarciaSubmission (guillotine choke)LXF 8: The ReturnJanuary 14, 202310:53 Commerce, California, United States
Loss14–13Kyle ReyesSubmission (d'arce choke)Final Fight Championship 35April 19, 201912:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Featherweight.
Loss14–12Ricardo PalaciosTKO (punch and head kick) Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 November 24, 201813:56 Inglewood, California, United StatesCatchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss14–11Fard MuhammadSubmission (rear-naked choke)Smash Global 6September 28, 201723:30 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win14–10Miguelito MartiSubmission (choke)Gladiator Challenge: Fight FestJune 17, 201710:39 El Cajon, California, United States
Loss13–10Felipe EfrainKO (punch to the body)Brave Combat Federation - Brave 3: Battle in BrazilMarch 18, 201722:10 São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
Loss13–9Elias BoudegzdameSubmission (kimura)Brave Combat Federation - Brave 2: DynastyDecember 2, 201611:47 Isa Town, Bahrain Featherweight bout.
Loss13–8 Brett Johns Submission (rear-naked choke)Titan FC 33March 20, 201523:06 Mobile, Alabama, United StatesFor Titan FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win13–7Anthony GutierrezSubmission (triangle choke) Titan FC 30: Brilz vs. Magalhaes September 26, 201413:02 Cedar Park, Texas, United States
Win12–7William JoplinSubmission (rear-naked choke) Titan FC 28: Brilz vs. Davis May 16, 201432:29 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United StatesReturn to Bantamweight.
Loss11–7Rodrigo AlmeidaDecision (unanimous)CZ 46 - Throwdown at The RockNovember 22, 201335:00 Salem, New Hampshire, United StatesCatchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss11–6 Tom Niinimäki Submission (kimura)Cage 23September 21, 201322:52 Vantaa, FinlandFor the Cage Featherweight Championship.
Win11–5Joey ApodacaSubmission (guillotine choke)Xplode Fight Series - VengeanceJanuary 19, 201310:17 Valley Center, California, United States
Win10–5Anthony MooreTKO (punches)Xplode Fight Series - DamageNovember 17, 201211:22 Valley Center, California, United States
Loss9–5 Mitch Gagnon Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 152 September 22, 201211:09 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss9–4 T.J. Dillashaw Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger February 15, 201235:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Loss9–3 Yves Jabouin Decision (split) UFC 140 December 10, 201135:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win9–2Joseph SandovalTKO (punches) UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson October 1, 201111:17 Washington, D.C., United States
Win8–2Ismael LeonSubmission (anaconda choke)Ultimate Warrior Challenge - To The EdgeJune 25, 201114:58 Tijuana, Mexico
Loss7–2 Cody Gibson TKO (punches & elbows) TPF 9: The Contenders May 6, 201124:09 Lemoore, California, United States
Win7–1Cristian JimenezSubmission (triangle choke)Baja Cage Fighting 2 - Bloody X-MasDecember 4, 201014:08 Tijuana, Mexico
Win6–1Manuel GallaretaSubmission (guillotine choke)Ultimate Warrior Challenge 8 - Mexican ChampionshipsOctober 16, 201010:43 Tijuana, Mexico
Win5–1Joe GustinaSubmission (anaconda choke)Baja Cage Fighting 1 - Return of the ChampJuly 17, 201013:04 Tijuana, Mexico
Win4–1Cristian JimenezSubmission (triangle armbar)Ultimate Warrior Challenge 7 - EvolutionJune 26, 201022:26 Tijuana, Mexico
Win3–1Gabriel GodinezKO (punches)Native Fighting Championship 4March 27, 201012:15 Campo, California, United States
Win2–1Kisack MonroySubmission (guillotine choke)Ultimate Warrior Challenge 4 - RebirthNovember 28, 200921:33 Tijuana, Mexico
Win1–1Peter MartinezSubmission (rear-naked choke)Gladiator Challenge - Never QuitNovember 8, 200921:33 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss0–1Enrique CuellarSubmission (anaconda choke)MMA Xtreme 22 - RevolutionAugust 16, 20081N/AMexico

[17]

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References

  1. ↑ Tapology.com. "Walel Watson Official Tapology Profile". tapology.com. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Walel Watson". sherdog.com. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Newcomers Joseph Sandoval and Walel Watson to fight at UFC on Versus 6". mmajunkie.com. 2011-08-26.
  4. ↑ "Bantamweights Yves Jabouin vs. Walel Watson added to UFC 140 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. October 21, 2011.
  5. ↑ "UFC on FUEL TV 1 adds Dillashaw vs. Watson". mmajunkie.com. January 5, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Walel Watson vs. Mitch Gagnon slated for UFC 152 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  7. ↑ Brian Hemminger (October 3, 2012). "Four more fighters released by the UFC including Michihiro Omigawa". MMAMania.com.
  8. ↑ Sherdog.com Staff (November 17, 2012). "Xplode Fight Series - Damage Results". Sherdog.com.
  9. ↑ MMAViking.com (July 5, 2013). "Tom Niinimäki to Defend Cage Title Against Walel Watson". mmaviking.com.
  10. ↑ Tapology.com (November 22, 2013). "Rodrigo Almeida vs. Walel Watson". tapology.com.
  11. ↑ SciFighting.com Staff (April 30, 2014). "Titan Fighting Prospects: "Gazelle" Walel Watson". scifighting.com.
  12. ↑ Matt Erickson (June 25, 2014). "Titan FC 29, 30 get title bouts, plus Walel Watson-Anthony Gutierrez". mmajunkie.com.
  13. ↑ "Titan FC 33 Play-by-Play: Green vs. Holobaugh Results & Updates". Sherdog.com Staff. 2015-03-21. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
  14. ↑ Steven Marrocco (October 15, 2018). "Proposed Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 lineup features Gleison Tibau vs. Efrain Escudero". mmajunkie.com.
  15. ↑ "Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 results: Gleison Tibau grinds out decision over gritty Efrain Escudero". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  16. ↑ Chenier, Dylan (2023-03-24). "BTC Fight Promotions brings professional MMA fighting to Limestone City". Kingstonist News - 100% local, independent news in Kingston, ON. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  17. ↑ "Walel". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
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