Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Johnny Walker
A veteran light heavyweight fighter looks to make it three in a row Saturday in what will be a packed card in Las Vegas. Jon Litterine breaks down four key DFS fights and makes his picks for the rest.
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Will fight Sept. 25
Walker will fight Thiago Santos in a light heavyweight bout at the UFC event Sept. 25, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Walker will be making his first start since having to withdraw prior to his March 27 bout against Jimmy Crute due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in training. Walker was last in the Octagon in September of 2020 when he beat Ryan Spann via TKO.
Walker will be making his first start since having to withdraw prior to his March 27 bout against Jimmy Crute due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in training. Walker was last in the Octagon in September of 2020 when he beat Ryan Spann via TKO.
Out with torn pectoral
Walker withdrew Tuesday from his March 27 light heavyweight matchup with Jimmy Crute at UFC 260 after suffering a torn pectoral muscle while training, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The injury will require surgery, and while no timeline has been established for his return to the Octagon, Walker will likely need up to six months to make a full recovery. Given that Walker's fight with Crute was still a month and a half away, the UFC should have plenty of time to secure a replacement on the card.
The injury will require surgery, and while no timeline has been established for his return to the Octagon, Walker will likely need up to six months to make a full recovery. Given that Walker's fight with Crute was still a month and a half away, the UFC should have plenty of time to secure a replacement on the card.
Matched with Jimmy Crute
Walker will take on Jimmy Crute in a light heavyweight matchup scheduled for March 27, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Blink and you might miss this one, as all but two of the pair's 11 combined UFC fights have finished in the first round. Walker rebounded from a pair of losses by knocking out Ryan Spann in September, while Crute bounced back from the only loss of his professional career in September of 2019 with a pair of first-round wins last year. Walker enters this one with significant advantages in both height (four inches) and reach (eight inches).
Blink and you might miss this one, as all but two of the pair's 11 combined UFC fights have finished in the first round. Walker rebounded from a pair of losses by knocking out Ryan Spann in September, while Crute bounced back from the only loss of his professional career in September of 2019 with a pair of first-round wins last year. Walker enters this one with significant advantages in both height (four inches) and reach (eight inches).
Earns much needed victory
Walker defeated Ryan Spann via TKO (elbows) at 2:46 of Round 1 at UFC FIght Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The finish was pretty, but it didn't come easy for Walker. Spann cracked Walker early and pushed in for a takedown along the fence moments later, but Walker managed to remain upright and connect with multiple vicious elbows to the side of Spann's head. Spann and his camp were furious, feeling the strikes were to the back of the head and illegal, but referee Dan Miragliotta disagreed and eventually stopped the bout, awarding it to Walker. Walker has more offensive ability than he knows what to do with, but his defensive game could charitably be called a work in progress. Regardless, he emerged with the victory he needed after losing back-to-back fights coming into this one. Now he needs to follow it up with another strong effort.
The finish was pretty, but it didn't come easy for Walker. Spann cracked Walker early and pushed in for a takedown along the fence moments later, but Walker managed to remain upright and connect with multiple vicious elbows to the side of Spann's head. Spann and his camp were furious, feeling the strikes were to the back of the head and illegal, but referee Dan Miragliotta disagreed and eventually stopped the bout, awarding it to Walker. Walker has more offensive ability than he knows what to do with, but his defensive game could charitably be called a work in progress. Regardless, he emerged with the victory he needed after losing back-to-back fights coming into this one. Now he needs to follow it up with another strong effort.
Fighting Spann in September
Walker will face Ryan Spann in a light heavyweight fight scheduled for Sept. 19 at UFC 253 at a yet-to-be-determined location, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Walker will be making his first appearance since losing to Nikita Krylov via unanimous decision in mid-March. He began his career on a 3-0 tear, but has since struggled to contend with a step up in competition. Walker is now set to take on Spann, who is a perfect 4-0 under the UFC banner and looking to take a step forward of his own. Walker has height and reach advantages, plus throws and lands a higher striking volume (though he absorbs more as well). Spann has a bit more grappling in his arsenal, but Walker has yet to be taken down in five UFC bouts.
Walker will be making his first appearance since losing to Nikita Krylov via unanimous decision in mid-March. He began his career on a 3-0 tear, but has since struggled to contend with a step up in competition. Walker is now set to take on Spann, who is a perfect 4-0 under the UFC banner and looking to take a step forward of his own. Walker has height and reach advantages, plus throws and lands a higher striking volume (though he absorbs more as well). Spann has a bit more grappling in his arsenal, but Walker has yet to be taken down in five UFC bouts.