Walel Watson

Walel Watson
Born (1984-07-16) July 16, 1984 (age 40)
El Paso, Texas, United States
Other namesThe Gazelle
The Pharaoh
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight140 lb (64 kg; 10 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Bantamweight
Reach75.0 in (191 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofSan 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.

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 matches 15 wins 15 losses
By knockout 3 5
By submission 12 7
By decision 0 3
By disqualification 0 0
Unknown 0 0
Draws 0
No contests 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–15 Tariq Ismail TKO (punches) Durham Fight Series 1 June 3, 2023 2 1:44 Oshawa, Canada
Loss 15–14 Serhiy Sidey TKO (punches) BTC 19 March 18, 2023 1 3:05 Kingston, Canada Return to Bantamweight. For the vacant BTC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 15–13 Marvin Garcia Submission (guillotine choke) LXF 8: The Return January 14, 2023 1 0:53 Commerce, California, United States
Loss 14–13 Kyle Reyes Submission (d'arce choke) Final Fight Championship 35 April 19, 2019 1 2:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Featherweight.
Loss 14–12 Ricardo Palacios TKO (punch and head kick) Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 November 24, 2018 1 3:56 Inglewood, California, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss 14–11 Fard Muhammad Submission (rear-naked choke) Smash Global 6 September 28, 2017 2 3:30 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 14–10 Miguelito Marti Submission (choke) Gladiator Challenge: Fight Fest June 17, 2017 1 0:39 El Cajon, California, United States
Loss 13–10 Felipe Efrain KO (punch to the body) Brave Combat Federation - Brave 3: Battle in Brazil March 18, 2017 2 2:10 São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil
Loss 13–9 Elias Boudegzdame Submission (kimura) Brave Combat Federation - Brave 2: Dynasty December 2, 2016 1 1:47 Isa Town, Bahrain Featherweight bout.
Loss 13–8 Brett Johns Submission (rear-naked choke) Titan FC 33 March 20, 2015 2 3:06 Mobile, Alabama, United States For Titan FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 13–7 Anthony Gutierrez Submission (triangle choke) Titan FC 30: Brilz vs. Magalhaes September 26, 2014 1 3:02 Cedar Park, Texas, United States
Win 12–7 William Joplin Submission (rear-naked choke) Titan FC 28: Brilz vs. Davis May 16, 2014 3 2:29 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 11–7 Rodrigo Almeida Decision (unanimous) CZ 46 - Throwdown at The Rock November 22, 2013 3 5:00 Salem, New Hampshire, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss 11–6 Tom Niinimäki Submission (kimura) Cage 23 September 21, 2013 2 2:52 Vantaa, Finland For the Cage Featherweight Championship.
Win 11–5 Joey Apodaca Submission (guillotine choke) Xplode Fight Series - Vengeance January 19, 2013 1 0:17 Valley Center, California, United States
Win 10–5 Anthony Moore TKO (punches) Xplode Fight Series - Damage November 17, 2012 1 1:22 Valley Center, California, United States
Loss 9–5 Mitch Gagnon Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 152 September 22, 2012 1 1:09 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss 9–4 T.J. Dillashaw Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger February 15, 2012 3 5:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Loss 9–3 Yves Jabouin Decision (split) UFC 140 December 10, 2011 3 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 9–2 Joseph Sandoval TKO (punches) UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson October 1, 2011 1 1:17 Washington, D.C., United States
Win 8–2 Ismael Leon Submission (anaconda choke) Ultimate Warrior Challenge - To The Edge June 25, 2011 1 4:58 Tijuana, Mexico
Loss 7–2 Cody Gibson TKO (punches & elbows) TPF 9: The Contenders May 6, 2011 2 4:09 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 7–1 Cristian Jimenez Submission (triangle choke) Baja Cage Fighting 2 - Bloody X-Mas December 4, 2010 1 4:08 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 6–1 Manuel Gallareta Submission (guillotine choke) Ultimate Warrior Challenge 8 - Mexican Championships October 16, 2010 1 0:43 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 5–1 Joe Gustina Submission (anaconda choke) Baja Cage Fighting 1 - Return of the Champ July 17, 2010 1 3:04 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 4–1 Cristian Jimenez Submission (triangle armbar) Ultimate Warrior Challenge 7 - Evolution June 26, 2010 2 2:26 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 3–1 Gabriel Godinez KO (punches) Native Fighting Championship 4 March 27, 2010 1 2:15 Campo, California, United States
Win 2–1 Kisack Monroy Submission (guillotine choke) Ultimate Warrior Challenge 4 - Rebirth November 28, 2009 2 1:33 Tijuana, Mexico
Win 1–1 Peter Martinez Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Challenge - Never Quit November 8, 2009 2 1:33 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 0–1 Enrique Cuellar Submission (anaconda choke) MMA Xtreme 22 - Revolution August 16, 2008 1 N/A Mexico

[17]

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.