Being an aggressive fighter can be a good thing in mixed martial arts, but it can also be a bad trait as well which is something Walel Watson has learned throughout his career.
Back at Titan FC 30 in September, Watson (13-7) faced Anthony Gutierrez in the co-main event of the fight card and got caught with a right hand. It appeared that the referee was about to stop the fight, but Watson recovered and ended up scoring a triangle choke submission victory.
Some fighters may say that they learn the most from defeats, but Watson admitted to The MMA Report that he learns a lot from wins and defeats. In terms of his fight against Gutierrez, he learned that he can not be overly aggressive.
“I can not be overly aggressive. Going into that fight. I wanted to quote on quote, set him up or put my hands on him,” Watson told The MMA Report. “I got too anxious. I rushed right in there and ran right into a right hand and that almost cost me the entire fight. I just have to keep a calm, level head and no matter what, even if Brett Johns tried to say anything. He has been real respectful. We have been respectful back and fourth. We are both looking to put on a great fight. Any kind of opponent that is going to run their mouth, I am just going to keep my head cool.”
The victory over Gutierrez was the second straight win for Watson and both of those victories have come in Titan FC. He will now meet Brett Johns for the vacant bantamweight title at Titan FC 33 on March 20 at Mobile AeroFest in Alabama. Watson and Johns were initially scheduled to meet this month, but the fight was move to March. The change in date was no big issue for Watson and Johns is the type of fighter that he is interested in fighting for multiple reasons.
“He is an awesome mixed martial artist,” Watson said. “Brett Johns he has that 10-0 record, exciting fighter, likes to scrap, he likes to grapple, and it’s all the things I like to do. I am excited about this fight. He is ranked high and I have the opportunity to fight someone ranked higher than me. Show the world my skills and my abilities and make some more noise.”
Since his exit from the UFC in 2012, he has gone 4-2 and three of those wins have come in the first round. Every time he has won a fight, it has been by stoppage and this fight with Johns is no different than any other fight, he is looking to make a statement.
“Every fight, I am trying to make a statement but definitely with this fight,” he said. “Especially having a guy that is 10-0 and having all the noise and hype around him right now, it’s nothing better than to beat someone like that and step up the ladder.”
On March 20, he will have the chance to become a champion for the first time in his mixed martial arts career. Whether the fight is for a title or not, he always prepares likes it’s a title fight and this fight is no different than his previous twenty fights.
“Every fight is a title fight to me and that is how my whole career has been. That is why every time I win, I finish somebody because I treat every fight like it’s a title fight. Every time I go in there — every opponent I look at, there is a chance to be the number one guy. I am always the underdog and going in there with something to improve. This fight is no different for me.”
Watson will be a guest on Friday’s edition of The MMA Report Live and you can hear more about his preparation for his title fight against Johns at Titan FC 33.