Johnny Walker’s Heavyweight Plans Change After UFC Calls Him Into Main Event

Johnny Walker’s Heavyweight Plans Change After UFC Calls Him Into Main Event

Johnny Walker’s move to heavyweight is progressing faster than he expected. The Brazilian was planning to take small steps in the division, but he accepted a main-event fight against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 124 on November 7 after Sean Brady withdrew due to a severe staph infection, leaving Gabriel Bonfim without an opponent.

Walker (23-10, 1 NC) made an impressive heavyweight debut in October, knocking out Mick Parkin in the first round and earning a performance bonus. Speaking ahead of his next fight, Walker said he had intended to move slowly but believes events have taken a different direction.

Cortes-Acosta (17-4) enters the contest after losses to Alexander Volkov and Curtis Blaydes. A victory over the heavyweight contender could propel Walker into the UFC’s heavyweight top 10 in just his second appearance in the division.