The 2nd of 3 preliminary card fights on Facebook is in the bantamweight division, as Canada's Mitch Gagnon (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) fights Walel Watson (9-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at UFC 152 in Toronto, Canada. It is the only 135 lbs fight on this card and for Gagnon it's a chance to fight in front of his home province crowd of Ontario. Neither man is ranked in the SB Nation MMA Consensus Rankings.
Gagnon took an entertaining but tough loss in his last fight, and Watson has dropped his last two. This could easily be a "loser goes home" matchup. The Facebook broadcast kicks off at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT before the preliminary card hits FX for two hours from 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.
How do these two stack up?
Gagnon: 27 years old | 5'5" | 68" reach
Watson: 28 years old | 5'11" | 75" reach
What have these two done recently?
Gagnon: L - Bryan Caraway (SUB) | W - Bo Harris (SUB) | W - Rejean Groulx (KO)
Watson: L - TJ Dillashaw (UD) | L - Yves Jabouin (SD) | W - Joseph Sandoval (TKO)
How did these two get here?
Gagnon, fighting out of Sudbury, Ontario, fought all of his regional bouts in Quebec, finishing all 8 of his victories with 1 loss to Will Ribeiro. His method of submissions are primarily guillotine and rear-naked chokes, but in his UFC debut vs. Bryan Caraway he was finished via RNC in the 3rd round. He is a wrestler with a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and holds a significant ground advantage over Watson. If he can exploit Watson's weaknesses then Gagnon will be on his way towards his first UFC victory.
"The Gazelle" spent much of his regional career in Mexico, and in October 2011 he made his UFC debut against Joseph Sandoval. He showed off impressive striking and easily stopped Sandoval in just 77 seconds. Watson took Yves Jabouin the distance in a razor-thin fight that saw him lose by split decision. At UFC on FUEL 1, TJ Dillashaw completely destroyed Watson on the ground to the point where two judges scored it 30-25 for TJ. Watson is still far from pleased that the Jabouin decision went against him in Toronto, so he's aiming to make his return to Canada a potentially job-saving success.
Why should you care?
These are pretty entertaining fighters desperate for a victory to assure job security. It's definitely the best fight on the Facebook broadcast in terms of competitiveness and bantamweights (and lighter weight classes in general) bring the fun.
More UFC 152 coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.
SBN coverage of UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort
UFC 152: Joseph Benavidez Vs. Demetrious Johnson Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC Fans Owe Jon Jones $55.95 For Killing UFC 151 And Improving UFC 152 - Nate Wilcox
UFC 152 Weigh-In Results: Jones 204.6, Belfort 204.2 - Time Burke
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 209: Stipe Miocic, UFC 152 Preview - Matt Bishop
UFC 152 Staff Picks And Predictions - Tim Burke
Vitor Belfort's New Camp Reunites Him With An Old Mentor - Nate Wilcox
Bloody Elbow's UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort Custom Poster - Anton Tabuena
UFC 152: Michael Bisping Vs. Brian Stann Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 152: Jon Jones Doesn't Think Dana White Will Apologize, But Forgives Him Anyway - Tim Burke
Rashad Evans Confident In Vitor Belfort, Believes He Can KO Jon Jones - Mookie Alexander
UFC 152 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video And Coverage - Tim Burke
UFC 152: Matt Hamill Vs. Roger Hollett Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 152: The Trials and Tragedies of the UFC's Original Phenom, Vitor Belfort - T.P. Grant
UFC 152: Jones Vs. Belfort Betting Lines - Tim Burke
UFC 152: Charles Oliveira Vs. Cub Swanson Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 152 FX Prelims: Grant Vs Dunham, Pokrajac Vs Magalhaes Preview - David Castillo
UFC 152: Charlie Brenneman 'In Hindsight, It Wasn't Such A Bad Thing' - Steph Daniels
UFC 152 FX Prelims: Hettes Vs Brimage, Pierson Vs Benoist Preview - David Castillo
Video - Countdown To UFC 152: Jones Vs. Belfort - Tim Burke
UFC 152: Facebook Preliminary Card Dissection - David Castillo
UFC 152 Video: Jon Jones Career Retrospective - Nate Wilcox
UFC 152: Vitor Belfort Wants To Make Sure MMA Doesn't Turn Into Formula 1 - Tim Burke
UFC 152: Jon Jones Rejects Villain Role - 'I'm The Nicest Guy Ever' - Nate Wilcox
UFC 152, Chavez Jr. Vs. Martinez, And The Value Of Truth In Promotion - Fraser Coffeen
Killing The King: Jon Jones - Jack Slack
Latest From Our Partners
Latest From Our Partners
- 8 Fighters Who Lost Short-Notice Fights (BR)
- 8 Fighters Who Won Short-Notice Fights (BR)
- Where UFC 151 Fights Will Now Happen (BR)
- Winners & Losers Of UFC 151 Cancellation (BR)
- Jon Jones Spirals Into Villainy (BR)