Walel Watson
Born
(1984-07-16) July 16, 1984 (age 40)
El Paso, Texas, United States
Other names
The Gazelle
The Pharaoh
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
140 lb (64 kg; 10 st)
Division
Reach
75.0 in (191 cm)[1]
Fighting out of
Team
Team Bodyshop MMA [2]
Years active
2008-2019
Mixed martial arts record
Total
30
Wins
15
By knockout
3
By submission
12
Losses
15
By knockout
5
By submission
7
By decision
3
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.
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.
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]
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]
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
Featherweight bout.
Loss
13–8
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)
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
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
Submission (rear-naked choke)
September 22, 2012
1
1:09
Loss
9–4
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger
February 15, 2012
3
5:00
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Loss
9–3
Decision (split)
December 10, 2011
3
5:00
Win
9–2
Joseph Sandoval
TKO (punches)
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
TKO (punches & elbows)
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
