Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Johnny Walker
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Drops decision to Nikita Krylov
Walker lost to Nikita Krylov via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Brasilia, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
Walker's move to TriStar did not produce it's intended results. The good news for Walker is that he managed to see the final bell after being knocked out by Corey Anderson in just 2:07 his last time out. Walker's issue on Saturday was that he simply couldn't get off of his back. Krylov controlled nearly the entire fight on the mat and Walker never had the opportunity to get to his prestigious power. The sample size is obviously small, but Walker has the look of a one-dimensional knockout artist. His cardio is not good and he doesn't possess a well-rounded offensive arsenal. Walker is now in no man's land after seemingly being on the verge of a title shot not all that long ago.
Walker's move to TriStar did not produce it's intended results. The good news for Walker is that he managed to see the final bell after being knocked out by Corey Anderson in just 2:07 his last time out. Walker's issue on Saturday was that he simply couldn't get off of his back. Krylov controlled nearly the entire fight on the mat and Walker never had the opportunity to get to his prestigious power. The sample size is obviously small, but Walker has the look of a one-dimensional knockout artist. His cardio is not good and he doesn't possess a well-rounded offensive arsenal. Walker is now in no man's land after seemingly being on the verge of a title shot not all that long ago.
Switching fight camps
Walker will switch camps to Tristar Gym in Montreal ahead of his next scheduled fight, Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Walker is currently lined up to fight Nikita Krylov in Brazil on March 14, as he looks to bounce back from a devastating TKO loss at the hands of Corey Anderson last November. Just 27 years old, Walker started his career scorching hot, as he was able to successfully blitz his first three UFC opponents en route to first-round finishes. The competition grew a notch for the Anderson fight, which made evident this technique would no longer be sustainable. He'll now head up to Canada to work under the tutelage of esteemed coach Firas Zahabi and future UFC hall-of-famer Georges St-Pierre, which should help Walker make the necessary strides in both his striking and wrestling. As a result, it would be fair to expect a more disciplined and all-around improved Walker the next time he enters the cage.
Walker is currently lined up to fight Nikita Krylov in Brazil on March 14, as he looks to bounce back from a devastating TKO loss at the hands of Corey Anderson last November. Just 27 years old, Walker started his career scorching hot, as he was able to successfully blitz his first three UFC opponents en route to first-round finishes. The competition grew a notch for the Anderson fight, which made evident this technique would no longer be sustainable. He'll now head up to Canada to work under the tutelage of esteemed coach Firas Zahabi and future UFC hall-of-famer Georges St-Pierre, which should help Walker make the necessary strides in both his striking and wrestling. As a result, it would be fair to expect a more disciplined and all-around improved Walker the next time he enters the cage.
Next fight on tap
Walker is being targeted to fight Nikita Krylov in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Brasilia on March 14, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Walker was a rising star within the promotion before he lost to Corey Anderson via TKO (punches) at UFC 244 in November. The loss brought his record to 17-4, but it also exposed some struggles against wrestling-based opponents, which is something Krylov does well. Krylov most recently lost to Glover Teixeira via split decision at UFC Vancouver in September, which brought his professional record to 25-7. Walker has the chance to regain momentum in his career, but another loss could be cause for some concern. Walker carries advantages in height and reach.
Walker was a rising star within the promotion before he lost to Corey Anderson via TKO (punches) at UFC 244 in November. The loss brought his record to 17-4, but it also exposed some struggles against wrestling-based opponents, which is something Krylov does well. Krylov most recently lost to Glover Teixeira via split decision at UFC Vancouver in September, which brought his professional record to 25-7. Walker has the chance to regain momentum in his career, but another loss could be cause for some concern. Walker carries advantages in height and reach.
Stunned by Corey Anderson
Walker lost to Corey Anderson via TKO (punches) at 2:07 of Round 1 at UFC 244 on Saturday in New York City.
ANALYSIS
Walker probably would have gotten a title shot had he won this fight impressively. Safe to say that's not going to be happening. At least not right now. Facing an opponent with just one knockout victory in the past five and a half years, Walker was destroyed. He ate one huge shot in the early going and never truly recovered. We never really got a read on Walker's chin since his first three official UFC bouts ended so quickly and now that we have, the returns are not strong. One loss is just one loss, but this feels like something more. The fact Walker wasn't competitive on the feet against a wrestling-based opponent like Anderson is highly, highly concerning. It goes without saying he needs to rebound his next time out.
Walker probably would have gotten a title shot had he won this fight impressively. Safe to say that's not going to be happening. At least not right now. Facing an opponent with just one knockout victory in the past five and a half years, Walker was destroyed. He ate one huge shot in the early going and never truly recovered. We never really got a read on Walker's chin since his first three official UFC bouts ended so quickly and now that we have, the returns are not strong. One loss is just one loss, but this feels like something more. The fact Walker wasn't competitive on the feet against a wrestling-based opponent like Anderson is highly, highly concerning. It goes without saying he needs to rebound his next time out.
Targeting November return at MSG
Walker (shoulder) is in line to face Corey Anderson in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC 244 on Nov. 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Walker began his UFC tenure red-hot, collecting three consecutive first-round finishes to immediately catch the eyes of UFC brass. It's officially time for a step up in competition, and it appears that will come in the form of Anderson -- a veteran at 205 that has compiled three consecutive wins of his own (all via decision). Walker will have height and reach advantages on fight night, plus owns slight edges in both striking volume and striking accuracy over a short sample size. Anderson has a major wrestling edge on paper with a 4.96 takedown average (per 15 minutes), though Walker has yet to be taken down in the UFC. Walker does own a brown belt in BJJ, though his true prowess on the ground is a mystery to UFC fans. He has two submission wins on his resume, but each was earned well prior to his time under the UFC banner.
Walker began his UFC tenure red-hot, collecting three consecutive first-round finishes to immediately catch the eyes of UFC brass. It's officially time for a step up in competition, and it appears that will come in the form of Anderson -- a veteran at 205 that has compiled three consecutive wins of his own (all via decision). Walker will have height and reach advantages on fight night, plus owns slight edges in both striking volume and striking accuracy over a short sample size. Anderson has a major wrestling edge on paper with a 4.96 takedown average (per 15 minutes), though Walker has yet to be taken down in the UFC. Walker does own a brown belt in BJJ, though his true prowess on the ground is a mystery to UFC fans. He has two submission wins on his resume, but each was earned well prior to his time under the UFC banner.