Johnny Walker's former coach refutes accusation of 'default': 'Should have preserved our history'

J. Walker (photo) faces problems with former coach. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @johnnywalkerufc

This week, the Brazilian Johnny Walker made serious statements about a possible 'default' applied by his former coach, Leonardo Gosling. On that occasion, the athlete charged his former coach an amount of US$30 for the construction of a gym in Thailand. In an attempt to justify himself, Gosling, in an interview with 'Ag.Fight', spoke about the case and denied the light heavyweight version (up to 93kg).

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“We went to Thailand, I arranged a camp (training period) for free at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy). I was the one doing that part. (…) We liked it there and I gave the idea of ​​staying. Find a place to teach. He and his brother liked it and I got a place. I proposed: 'Let's build a Dojo (training place) in the guy's gym, because it only has Muay Thai. You pay half and I'll pay the other when I start making money'. And he sent US$10 thousand (about R$42 thousand) and we built it from scratch. I have all the photos. But it became unclear, it was not legal to deal with a contract with a Thai. The law there is pretty crazy. We didn't really get along well and we understood that it was better to leave, accept this loss”, says Leonardo.

The coach also denied the value reported by Walker. According to Gosling, the fighter from Belford Roxo (RJ) invested around R$84 less than stated in his interview.

“It wasn’t US$30 thousand (R$120 thousand). I don't know where that came from. We took a delay. It wasn't default. It was bad, there were no students, the gym was hidden, I would have to invest in marketing. I agreed that I would take it from my percentage and gradually amortize (pay) these 5 thousand”, he said.

Leonardo also commented on Johnny's backstage on the eve of the UFC 244. According to the coach, close to the fight the Brazilian was not focused as he should have been for the fight against Corey anderson, in which he ended up suffering his first defeat for Ultimate.

“The week of the fight, he arranged for a woman to stay with him at the hotel. I arranged with a fellow fighter for her to go, I spoke to Johnny to see if he had a ticket. I asked him and he said: 'ok'. When we got there he said he would stay with her in the room, so I said: 'Hey, Johnny, you're not going to have sex the week of the fight. Is not cool. Let's focus on the fight'. And he: 'I'm going to destroy him (Corey). Relax. Trust me'. I shut my mouth and walked away. I never argued with him. The second time I met him”, he said.

Leonardo also said that he predicted the defeat to Anderson. Noticing the way the Brazilian was acting before the dispute, the coach stated that, for him, the setback was imminent.

“Before he lost the fight, I had already told some people that he was very arrogant, that he was going to get knocked out. Coach feels it,” he said.

Finally, the coach revealed his regret with his former pupil. For Leonardo, the Brazilian should have kept the matter between them, so as not to cause discomfort. However, that was not what happened. Gosling also commented that he fears for the future of the Brazilian, who he claims is 'shaken' by the latest result.

“I wasn't the best, but I was enough for him to get there (in the UFC). I was a coach of all sports. I'm not good at any, but I was at them all. So, he had to preserve our history, he had lived with me, he had stayed with me all this time. Because I would always be thanking, posting, elevating my mentor's work, if I were Johnny. And that never happened, that recognition. On the contrary, I'm seeing now that I was bad, that he's going to look for something better, that he wants to evolve, that he doesn't want to lose anymore. He is completely 'cheated' by this defeat. He is pretending that everything is fine, that he is strong, but he goes into this fight insecure, with doubts. I know him more than anyone, I know the doubts he has. So, I hope that whoever is going to help understands a little about him and can help him”, he concluded.

Johnny recently stated that he is in negotiations to train with Firas Zahabi (head coach) Georges St Pierre) and John Kavanagh (training coach Conor McGregor). According to Walker, he will carry out tests with the two 'mentors' and, in the future, will define who will be in his corner for the next commitments.

The light heavyweight is currently preparing for his fight in UFC Brasilia. The athlete will exchange forces with Nikita Krylov in one of the most anticipated presentations on the card.