In Search of a Fifth Title and a Top-10 Finish! Valter Walker Has His 'Last Fight' to Change His Level in UFC Abu Dhabi

Walter Walker promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Valter Walker should make the most of his next commitment in the octagon, as his career is set to undergo a major change soon. At UFC Abu Dhabi , an event taking place this Saturday (25), the Brazilian, who is a kind of sensation in the heavyweight division (up to 120,2 kg), faces Thomas Petersen in the fight that closes the preliminary card. Classified by bookmakers as a big favorite to win the duel, the athlete has the perfect opportunity to impress again, move away from the status of promise and become a reality.

Currently, Valter is ranked 11th in the division, which needs renewal. Given this scenario, the Brazilian, in case of another victory, could easily break into the top 10, entering the radar of the best fighters. It's true that the 28-year-old athlete has never been in a hurry to face the top names in the division. On the contrary, whenever possible, the bad boy makes it clear that he prefers to fight lower-level athletes to impress in the octagon, gain experience, popularity, and be valued.

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Walter Walker celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

And Walker's tactic is working. After losing his undefeated record in his UFC debut to Lukasz Brzeski , the Brazilian was harshly criticized, but he bounced back by submitting Junior Tafa , Don'Tale Mayes, Kennedy Nzechukwu , and Louie Sutherland in succession. A jiu-jitsu specialist, the fighter applied four heel hooks in the first round and, at UFC Abu Dhabi , has already indicated that he intends to go for the fifth foot , that is, the five-time championship, as he likes to define such an achievement.

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Therefore, given his impressive performance against lower-level competition and his upcoming accessible fight, Valter is likely to confirm his status as favorite and assume greater responsibility after UFC Abu Dhabi . Thus, even though the Brazilian is taking the opposite path of many athletes by prioritizing caution in his career, the company probably has other plans for a charismatic, exciting, finisher, and controversial fighter . This is especially true in a division that, without Francis Ngannou , Jon Jones , and with fans distancing themselves from Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall , needs figures like Walker to establish themselves, as they will be its main pillars in the coming years.