Brazilian promise in light heavyweight (up to 93kg.), Johnny Walker is ready for his first commitment in 2021. Opponent of Thiago Marreta No. UFC Las Vegas 38, which takes place this Saturday (2), the athlete spoke exclusively to the channel on SUPER FIGHTS YouTube and did not hide his confidence. The fighter highlighted his evolution as an athlete, analyzed his compatriot and revealed interest in two opponents for the Octagon sequence.
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Coming from victory over Ryan spann and in a prominent position in the category led by Jan Blachowicz, Walker needs to win to continue the trajectory towards the top of the group. If he overcomes Thiago over the weekend, the fighter will move away from the unstable moment he experienced in Ultimate between 2019 and 2020.
maturation
The duel against Marreta should be Johnny's second clash in the current season. An injury, however, ended up taking the athlete out of the match against Jimmy crute, which would happen in UFC 260. Despite the loss, the Brazilian admits that he learned from the moment and explains.
“I was at the end of my preparation, training a lot and a little stressed with some personal problems. I ended up overtraining (when an athlete goes beyond their body's limits during training), and ruptured the pectoral tendon, which is connected to the biceps. (…) I demanded too much from my body, I wasn’t eating properly, sleeping properly. (…) I had surgery, they canceled the fight, but (it) taught me a lot about my body and everything I need to do to be champion. Now, I’m living like a champion, eating right, dieting, training, trying to focus on sleep,” he said.
Evolution
Revealed by 'Dana White's Contender Series', Walker arrived in the UFC as a true phenomenon. In his first three fights, he had meteoric defeats over his rivals in less than two minutes. After a convincing start, Johnny suffered two consecutive stumbles and was questioned. After the scare, the athlete highlights his evolution as an athlete.
“I'm very focused on training, eliminating everything that holds me back from becoming a champion. Cutting out people, habits, things I used to do and no longer do. I’m managing my time better,” he said.
Surprise: Walker wants to retire young
At just 29 years old, Johnny surprised by revealing that he no longer has that long in his professional MMA career. Firm in thought, the athlete explained that he does not intend to extend his stay in the sport. The athlete explains the position.
“I promised that I want to retire before the age of 35. I want to make the most money, success, fights in the next five years. I don't want to fight for a long time, no. A fighter's life, no one knows what it's like. Every day: training, diet, worry, punch in the face, injury, surgery. It's very hard. Anyone who is a fighter will understand. You have to focus, put in your body and soul, 100%, otherwise it won't work. Many arrive at the UFC and are fired, because they get lost along the way, with fame, money, or 'they think they're too much'. I woke up to this and I'm doing everything right. There's no error. I’ll arrive”, assured the light heavyweight.
Sledgehammer Analysis
This weekend, Walker will have the opportunity to advance further in the category led by Jan Blachowicz. Faced with a former challenger for the group's belt, the fighter from Belfort Roxo (RJ) then analyzed this Saturday's commitment. Although he shows respect for Marreta, his compatriot demonstrated that he has complete knowledge of his opponent.
“He is a high-level fighter, he knows a little bit of everything. He has a window for all fighters (peak), a window between experience and youth. That window just opened for me. I have the experience and the youth. Thiago has a little more experience and less youth. The window I'm in now is bigger than his. I'm younger, I have less experience, but I'm younger. He is older, has more experience and less youth. He has already done a lot for the sport. I'm grateful to be facing him, but it's my turn. He already did what he should have done, but it’s my turn”, he said.
Strategy for the confrontation
With everything in place for the weekend's event, Walker made no secret of the strategy put in place to surprise Thiago. Without dodging the question, Johnny narrated how he understands the fight will go.
“I'm going to start hitting him, hurting him. Every blow I release will be to hurt. I'm ready for any kind of attack he's going to throw. I'm going to dodge, move a lot. (…) I can put it down if it comes too high. (…) Everything is mapped out. It's going to be a beating in every way possible, hitting without letting him counterattack. I hope he's prepared. I’m a big fan (of Marreta), I have nothing against the guy, but, unfortunately, it’s business,” he concluded.
Athletes' history
Current number 10 in the ranking of the category up to 93kg., Johnny Walker is heading towards his 24th challenge in professional MMA. Today, the athlete has 18 wins and five losses.
One of the athletes who came closest to defeating Jon Jones, Thiago Marreta seeks recovery in the group. The athlete, who comes from three consecutive stumbles, reaches his 31st commitment and has 21 triumphs and nine setbacks.
