A bantamweight bout between Walel Watson (9-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) and Mitch Gagnon (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is the latest addition to the quickly filling UFC 152 card.
UFC officials today announced the bout.
UFC 152 takes place Sept. 22 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The event’s main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.
Watson vs. Gagnon likely will be part of the prelims.
Watson, a California-based fighter who cut his teeth with Mexican fight promotions, is in a must-win situation following back-to-back losses to Yves Jabouin (split decision) and T.J. Dillashaw (unanimous decision). Prior to the setbacks, the 28-year-old “Gazelle” was on a 9-1 run that included a UFC-debut TKO win over Joseph Sandoval.
Gagnon, a 27-year-old Canadian fighter, won six straight fights (all via submission) to earn a UFC contract earlier this year, though his debut was delayed by visa issues. However, he fought at UFC 149 this past month, where Bryan Caraway choked him out in an entertaining bout that earned both competitors “Fight of the Night” bonuses.
The latest UFC 152 card now includes:
- Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson - for inaugural flyweight title
- Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann
- B.J. Penn vs. Rory MacDonald
- Evan Dunham vs. T.J. Grant
- Igor Pokrajac vs. Vinny Magalhaes
- Dan Miller vs. Sean Pierson
- Marcus Brimage vs. Jim Hettes
- Charles Oliveira vs. Cub Swanson
- Seth Baczynski vs. Simeon Thoresen
- Mitch Gagnon vs. Walel Watson