Yves Jabouin defeats Walel Watson by Split Decision. The Judges scored the bout 30-27, 29-28, 28-29.
Walel Watson was the first to cleanly connect with a short left hook to Jabouin’s chin. Yves pushed forward and landed a right hand but was countered with a hook to the body. Watson attempted a spinning back fist but was countered with a right hook to the chin. Watson came forward and landed a punch-knee combination but was taken down. Yves was working from Watson’s butterfly guard. Within the final 45 seconds, neither fighter wanted to commit to strikes. Watson closed the distance in the final 10 seconds but neither fighter connected with a clean strike.
In the second Jabouin began to commit to strikes but had trouble with the reach of Walel Watson. Watson closed the distance but missed a combination, allowing Yves to land cleanly to the chin. Jabouin also landed a body kick that stunned Watson. Watson attempted a spinning back fist but was unable to connect. Watson landed his patented side kicks to Jabouin’s body. Jabouin closed the distance with a spinning back fist and drove forward for a takedown. Watson sunk in a guilotine choke on the way down and almost had Jabouin finished. Yves popped his head out as the horn sounded.
The third round started with them trading strikes in the center of the cage. Watson was able to back Jabouin up with jabs and then landed a body kick. Jabouin landed the next significant strike with a slapping leg kick that backed Watson up and followed with another that turned Watson’s body. Jabouin got a takedown but Watson scrambled to top control. Watson worked high from half guard and set up a d’arce choke. Jabouin kept calm and escaped landing a spinning back kick on the way up. Jabouin and Watson both attempt spinning attacks and neither land cleanly.
Walel Watson entered the fight 9-2. It was his second fight in his UFC career. Yves Jabouin entered the fight 1-1 in the UFC and 16-7 in his career. Watson is now 1-1 in the UFC. Jabouin improves to 2-1.