Johnny Walker believes his move to heavyweight will be his best chance yet of finding success inside the Octagon. The Brazilian, who spent his UFC career at light-heavyweight since debuting in 2018, made the jump to the top division last weekend at UFC 332, where he knocked out Sunderland's Mick Parkin inside a round with a devastating knee.
Heavyweight debut win
Walker, 34, had lost to Dominick Reyes by split decision in April before taking time away and returning at heavyweight. Known for his charisma and chaotic style, he has often lost fights he should have won while also landing crazy finishes out of nowhere, making him one of the most unpredictable fighters around.
Speaking about his debut win, Walker said: “I am very happy because I am a finisher, so when I finish a fight I conquer my objective. I don't like the referee to decide for me.”
No more weight cuts
The Brazilian says the move to heavyweight has removed the stresses of cutting weight, allowing him to train harder and recover better. “I see a great future (at heavyweight) because I don't get stressed or injured. I don't have a lack of calories and I can recover from one session to the next and I can eat as much as I need if I am hungry,” he said.
He added: “I had no injuries this camp, I was like, 'f***, this is so weird, I don't have to cut weight, suffer, and I have no injuries. Something is wrong because everything is perfect'. I was getting a little bit anxious as everything was amazing and I am not used to that.”
Timing and confidence
With the heavyweight division in flux after Tom Aspinall was forced to relinquish his title, Walker's move could be well timed. He no longer has to “nerf” himself to make weight, and believes he can compete with anyone in the next few years.
“I'm young for a heavyweight. I believe in the next four or five years I can fight anyone in the world with the potential to win. I want to give it my best shot. Just train, eat, sleep, repeat,” he said. “I was being nerfed when I fought at light-heavyweight. I lost muscle mass. I dehydrated my brain. I was getting a little bit weak. Now I'm at full power. I'm buff now.”
Name origin
Despite the name, Walker has no family connection to the Johnnie Walker whisky brand. His full name is Walker Johnny Silva Barra de Souza, and he has previously explained: “It is a combination of my parents' names. My mother's name is Joelma and my father's name is Walter. My given name is Walker Johnny. When I got into fighting, since I needed a nickname, I ended up being called 'Johnny Walker'.”
Walker trained during his formative years in MMA in Scotland. Up next on the UFC schedule is UFC Vegas 122 on Sunday at 1am, with Gloucester middleweight Christian Leroy Duncan headlining at the Apex against Brendan Allen. Elsewhere, Ian Machado Garry has called out Michael Morales, saying: “I've said YES. The date is locked in. Main event and you're making excuses already.”
