Johnny Walker and Anthony Smith are set to face off in a UFC event on May 13. The light heavyweight bout will be a five-round contest and is highly anticipated by fans of the sport. As boxing picks will predict, both fighters are coming off of recent wins and are looking to climb the rankings in the division.
Walker, a 30-year-old Brazilian, has had an up-and-down career in the UFC thus far. Once seen as a rising star in the division, he suffered back-to-back losses in 2020 that knocked him out of title contention.
However, he has bounced back with two impressive wins over Ion Cutelaba and Paul Craig. The win over Craig, which came from a first-round TKO, showed that Walker still could be a force in the division.
On the other hand, Smith is a sports veteran who has been in the UFC since 2016. He has faced some of the toughest competition in the division, including former champion Jon Jones. Smith is coming off a loss to Magomed Ankalaev, partly due to a broken leg suffered during the fight. However, before that loss, Smith had won three straight fights over Devin Clark, Jimmy Crute, and Ryan Spann.
The matchup between Walker and Smith is intriguing, as both fighters have different styles and skill sets. Walker is known for his striking ability and has finished most of his opponents by knockout.
On the other hand, Smith is more well-rounded and has finished fights on the feet and the ground. That could lead to an exciting back-and-forth battle between the two fighters and is one we are excited to see.
Johnny Walker’s Background and Fighting Style
Johnny Walker is a mixed martial artist in the light heavyweight division in the UFC league. He was born on March 30, 1992, in Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Brazilian started his MMA career in 2013 and quickly made a name for himself with his explosive style and unorthodox techniques. He made his UFC debut in 2018 and quickly rose to prominence with spectacular knockouts.
His Background
Walker began training in MMA in 2013 and quickly established himself as a talented fighter. The fighter won his first amateur fight by TKO in the first round and his first three professional fights in the same fashion. He gained recognition for his impressive performances in Brazil, which led to him receiving an opportunity to compete in the UFC.
His UFC debut took place in November 2018, when he defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. by TKO in the first round. This victory marked his entry into the mainstream mixed martial arts scene, and he quickly became one of the most interesting prospects in the light heavyweight division.
His Fighting Skills
Johnny Walker’s fighting style is often described as dynamic and unpredictable. He is known for his aggressive approach and has triumphed most of his fights by knockout or technical knockout.
Walker’s striking game is his most vital asset, and he possesses a diverse arsenal of strikes to keep his opponents off-balance. In addition, he is specifically known for his unorthodox spinning techniques, which he utilizes to devastating effect.
In addition to his striking, Walker has shown impressive grappling skills in the octagon. He has a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has used his grappling effectively in several of his fights. He has also demonstrated excellent takedown defense, making it difficult for his opponents to take him down and control him on the ground.
Highlights
Currently, Johnny Walker is ranked eighth among light heavyweights in the UFC. He is 1.96 meters tall and is worth over 500,000 dollars. As of February 2023, He has had 27 fights in his professional career, emerging as the victor in 20.
His most memorable fights include the 2021 battle -Thiago Santos vs. Johnny Walker, and the 2022 victory in the Johnny Walker vs. Ion Cuțelaba fight.
The upcoming match between Johnny Walker and Anthony Smith promises to be exciting for UFC fans. With both fighters hungry for victory, it will be interesting to see how the fight plays out and who comes out on top. But, regardless of the outcome, one thing is for sure – this matchup is not to be missed.