Valter Walker stole the spotlight at UFC Abu Dhabi by securing his fifth consecutive submission victory. However, the Brazilian ended up being criticized for not using the microphone to challenge his next opponent. After defeating Thomas Petersen with a calf lock, the heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) chose to taunt referee Herb Dean instead of targeting a highly ranked rival, a decision which, according to him, has a clear explanation.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Walker explained that he doesn't intend to ask for a top-ranked opponent without first knowing the financial terms offered by the UFC. According to the fighter, a higher offer would justify facing an elite opponent, while a mid-range offer would require a more competitive matchup.
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“I’m not going to ask for a ranked opponent if I don’t even know how much I’m going to earn. If it’s a generous offer, great, give me a top-ranked guy. But if it’s a mid-level offer, then it needs to be a mid-level opponent, you understand?” said Valter Walker.
Valter Walker also highlighted that he built his reputation by delivering consistent performances, keeping his promises inside the octagon, and maintaining a close relationship with the fans, reinforcing that he does his part for the organization.
“I’ve built a name for myself. I’m a guy who delivers. I’m a guy who says what he’s going to do and then does it. If I say I’m going to grab someone’s foot, I grab their foot. I’m someone who interacts with fans, takes pictures with everyone. I do my part for the company,” concluded the ‘Foot Hunter’.
Walter Walker made history at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Although he made it clear that he doesn't want to accelerate his climb in the heavyweight division, Valter Walker has definitively cemented his name in the category by reaching a record of 16 wins and only one loss in his professional MMA career.
At 28 years old, the 'foot hunter' reached eighth place in the heavyweight rankings, boosted by his last performance when he needed only 1 minute and 32 seconds to finish American Thomas Petersen in the first round of UFC Abu Dhabi.
With the victory, the Brazilian achieved his fifth consecutive submission win in the octagon, all applied to his opponents' legs and resolved in the first round, equaling the historic record that belonged exclusively to the legend Demian Maia.
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