Athletes
Johnny Walker Is Constantly Elevating Himself
Brazilian Star Recalibrates, Looks To Get Back In The Win Column At UFC 279
Editor Note: This article was published prior to the UFC 279: Diaz vs Ferguson event change. Nate Diaz will now fight Tony Ferguson in the main event, Khamzat Chimaev will fight Kevin Holland in a catchweight (180) co-main event and Li Jingliang will fight Daniel Rodriguez in a catchweight (180) bout. | Order UFC 279: Diaz vs Ferguson
UFC Announces Updates To UFC 279
Johnny Walker is always focusing on improving aspects of himself inside and outside of the Octagon. It could be as simple as reading a book or spending more time with friends and family, but, in the end, he’s learning something from every experience, which only makes him better.
“All the mistakes teach you something,” Walker said ahead of his fight at UFC 279: Chimaev vs Diaz. “With nutrition, with training, with recovery, with patience, trust the process, trust the coach, sleep. You are always learning and getting experience, even if you win or lose. I come from nothing, from nowhere, nobody has any idea where I’m from and look where I am today and what I am doing. I can do way more.”
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Walker’s last two fights haven’t gone the way he had hoped, as he lost a five-round unanimous decision to Thiago Santos in his first UFC main event, followed by a first-round knockout defeat against Jamahal Hill in February.
Johnny Walker Fight Week Interview | UFC 279: Diaz vs Ferguson
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Johnny Walker Fight Week Interview | UFC 279: Diaz vs Ferguson
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This weekend, he is opening the main card against light heavyweight Ion Cutelaba, and he feels that everything is going to fall into place after this fight.
“My last two fights I know I lost, but it was still a main event, and I was born to be in the top,” Walker said. “I’m in the right place and I want to take what is mine.”
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The 30-year-old Brazilian hasn’t fought in front of an arena full of fans since his fight against Nikita Krylov in Brazil back in 2020. Being able to fight in front of fans is something that a lot of athletes have missed during the pandemic.
Walker appreciates the fights that he has had inside the APEX but is eager to make the walk at T-Mobile Arena.
“We are like gladiators and people are watching,” Walker said of fighting in a full arena. “When you fight in the APEX and closed arenas, of course you know that people are watching you at home, but it’s not the same when you can hear people react when you land a big shot, when you win a fight, and everybody celebrates with you. It’s different.”
After the two losses, Walker decided to make some changes to his camp and training to make improvements and prepare for Cutelaba. These changes sent him to Thailand, where he focused on a variety of different aspects.
UFC 279 EMBEDDED: Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4
“I spent months in Thailand, training Muay Thai, a lot of boxing, boxing defense, MMA, jiu-jitsu,” Walker said. “I improved all my skills, but I worked a lot on my defense, because I got caught last time, so I have to be confident to not get caught anymore, hands up, chin down.”
Cutelaba is also looking to get back in the win column after a first-round submission loss against Ryan Spann in May. The 28-year-old has a UFC record of 5-6-1 after bouts against Magomed Ankalaev, Glover Teixeira and Jared Cannonier.
Walker is prepared for an exciting and aggressive Cutelaba, who has 12 victories by knockout and two by submission.
“He’s very aggressive, so every punch that he throws, it’s sort of wild,” Walker said. “I can defend myself, I can counter him, but you have to respect him because he really throws heavy punches, and you just have to move around quickly and be aware of his attack.”
UFC 279 FREE FIGHTS: Tony Ferguson vs Katsunori Kikuno | Li Jingliang vs Muslim Salikhov | Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns | Khamzat Chimaev vs Li Jingliang | Nate Diaz vs Cowboy Cerrone | Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor
Preparing for someone that is as wild as Cutelaba isn’t as hard as some may think. In fact, Walker says it makes things easier because you know that your opponent is going to come forward. It’s something you just have to be ready for.
With all the preparations complete, all that is left is to go out and perform. So, what’s the key to Walker coming out victorious on Saturday night?
“Just be myself, bring my old and good Johnny Walker, that’s me right now. Enjoy, be happy, relax and let it flow.”
UFC 279: Diaz vs Ferguson took place live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 10, 2022. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
