Walel Watson: "I Want to Be No. 1"

It was October 1st, 2011 when Walel Watson entered the Octagon for the very first time to take on fellow bantamweight, Joseph Sandoval.

Despite an impressive performance, many UFC fans across the globe were unaware of who "The Gazelle" was as it was his first fight at the highest stage in mixed martial arts.

However, in a recent interview, I had the opportunity of getting to know the up-and-coming 135-pound submission artist and learn what his future holds as a UFC contender.

Garrett Derr: Your a fairly new fighter in mixed martial arts. You’ve been in the sport for a little over three years, what made you chose MMA?

Walel Watson: My love for the whole one-on-one combat sport. I've played football my whole life and it's always been a team thing. No matter how hard you train, if your teammates aren't putting in the same amount of work your not going to get the results you desire. This one-on-one type of thing is all on me. At the end of the day it's up to Walel. It's Walel who stands in the cage and It's Walel who needs to perform.

GD: You lost in your very first fight. At any time did you consider maybe the sport wasn’t for you? Did you feel like calling it quits right then and there?

WW: No, not at all. I always felt that I could do something with this. I knew the first fight was a bad situation and I fought at a heavier weight. I wasn't ready to fight yet as I got thrown into it way too early. I knew with the right coaches and the right team I could be something in this sport someday. And, thanks to God I'm doing it now.

GD: You were sitting with an impressive 8-2 record and you got the call from the UFC. Describe this for me. What were you feeling?

WW: I didn't believe it. I thought, this can't be happening. I felt that one day I would be in the UFC but not so soon. I thought maybe a year or two down the road because the 135-pound division is stacked. I felt like some of these guys had to lose and I had to keep winning and I'd eventually get the opportunity. It's a dream come true.

GD: And, not too long after,  you were even more impressive in your Octagon debut as you knocked out your opponent just a little over a minute into the very first round. What was going through your mind? What did it mean to you?

WW: It meant everything to me. I didn't want to be one of those guys who are one-and-done. At least with that knockout it secured my very next fight. That meant everything. I got my first win and a guaranteed next fight in the UFC.

GD: You're now set to take on Yves Jabouin on December 10th. What strengths do you feel you have heading into UFC 140? And, if any, what weaknesses?

WW: I feel my strengths are my reach, length and explosiveness. I'm a lot younger than the Tiger. I feel like I'm going to be able to move and do things that he won't be able to do.

WW: Being the tall guy in the division is always going to be the downfall. I can't let these little guys get inside of me. If they get inside they'll take away my ability to punch and possibly take me down. I'll have to avoid that.

GD: While we're on UFC 140. Who do you got, Jon Jones or Lyoto Machida and why?

WW: I'm going with Jon Jones and it's because I'm a tall lengthy guy and he's a tall lengthy guy and us tall lengthy guys have to stick together.

GD: [laughing] I like your style. A win would certainly put you on the map in the 135-pound weight division, what are your expectations as you become a veteran in the UFC?

WW: I want to be No. 1. I hope to eventually face Dominick, Miguel Torres, Michael McDonald or whoever. I want to get a shot and bring home that belt someday.

GD: Hopefully one day we'll see you fighting for the title.

WW: Oh yes, absolutely. Most definitely.

GD: In closing, is there anyone you'd like to recognize for your success up until this point in your career?

WW: My mom, my dad and my head coach Manolo Hernandez. They've had my back from day one. They've always believed in me. When people around me told me I couldn't make it.

WW: My head coach, my mom and my dad always told me I was the best out there and no one knew it yet. That was something I believed because they always told me that and they imprinted it into my mind. I'm thankful for them.

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