T.J. "The Viper" Dillashaw vs. Walel "The Gazelle" Watson
John Heinis: Dillashaw, a Team Alpha Male fighter, lost to John Dodson in
The Ultimate Fighter season 14 finale, the first loss of his career.
Nevertheless, he could have a bright future in the bantamweight division, given his excellent takedowns and nasty ground and pound.
Meanwhile, his opponent, Walel Watson, is also coming off a loss—a hard-fought split decision that went in favor of Yves Jabouin. Watson has some slick submissions and is particularly dangerous with chokes, but Dillashaw’s smothering wrestling and active top game will be too much to overcome.
(T.J. Dillashaw via unanimous decision, 30-27)
Dale De Souza: T.J. Dillashaw was the closest thing to the "most disliked" fighter in the
TUF 14 cast, but contrary to what some on the show thought, his road to the bantamweight final against John Dodson was a bit more difficult than Dillashaw made it look—that should really speak to his natural ability as a wrestler.
However, this is the second time he's faced a fighter with some notoriously-dangerous ability at 135 pounds, and even though Dodson is a natural flyweight, Walel Watson is a naturally lanky bantamweight that can hit Dillashaw with just about anything and everything.
Many believe Watson might be at a disadvantage because of the wrestling and the active top game of Dillashaw, but I would not be light in taking on the task of trying to control a guy like Watson, who has finished twice by punches, but is best known for his submission game.
Dillashaw is a gifted fighter and won't put many fans to sleep. Wednesday night in Omaha, I'll wish him good luck in trying to control and finish Watson without getting submitted on the ground, where Watson will likely fare better than some might think.
(Watson by second-round Submission – Guillotine Choke)