LAS VEGAS – Johnny Walker hadn’t anticipated a swift climb in the UFC heavyweight rankings.
Taking a short-notice fight, Walker (23-10 MMA, 9-7 UFC) is set to face No. 6-ranked heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta at UFC Fight Night 293. This bout became the new main event after Sean Brady pulled out of his fight with Gabriel Bonfim due to a knee injury. The event will be held at the Meta APEX arena on Saturday and streamed on Paramount+.
“Waldo is a highly skilled fighter,” Walker shared with MMA Junkie and other media during Wednesday’s press day. “He has strong boxing, quick hands, and speed. We’re about the same age, so this is a great chance for me to test myself against a top competitor. Passing this test will prove I belong in the heavyweight division.”
This will mark only Walker’s second heavyweight fight, having recently moved up from light heavyweight. His debut at heavyweight was a spectacular knee knockout of Mick Parkin at UFC 332 last month, which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Now, facing Cortes Acosta (17-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), Walker knows the competition level is much higher but is prepared for whatever comes.
“I don’t really make plans,” Walker explained. “I prepare for the worst-case scenario. I certainly didn’t plan to knock out Mick Parkin like that; it just happened instinctively. You train hard and have a general strategy, but you can’t predict everything on fight night.”
As a light heavyweight, Walker fought 16 times and took on elite fighters including former champions Jamahal Hill and Magomed Ankalaev, as well as title contenders like Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith, Khalil Rountree Jr., and Dominick Reyes. He originally intended to take his time acclimating to heavyweight, but just two fights into the division, he finds himself headlining a card against a top-10 opponent.
“My plan was to move up slowly and get a feel for heavyweight fighting,” Walker said. “But as I always say, God has different plans than I do—His are better. So I just embrace whatever comes my way, and here I am.”
“… At 34 years old, I’m an experienced fighter who’s been in this sport for a long time. A win against a guy like Waldo would put me in a strong position, and I truly believe I deserve it. We’ll find out this Saturday if I’m ready or not.”
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Johnny Walker wanted slow heavyweight rise, but ‘God’s plan’ is different.
Fan Take: Johnny Walker’s unexpected leap into a high-profile heavyweight showdown signals a bold shakeup in the division, offering fans an exciting new contender to watch. This fight could redefine the heavyweight landscape and demonstrate how quickly a fighter’s fortunes can change in the UFC.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
