LAS VEGAS – Johnny Walker plans to enter Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 234 main event rematch against Magomed Ankalaev with a clean mental slate.
The first matchup between the pair at UFC 294 in October ended in a no contest when Ankalaev (18-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) landed an illegal knee on Walker (21-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) that led to the end of the bout. The light heavyweight contenders are now set to run it back, but this time in a five-round headliner at the UFC Apex, which streams on ESPN+.
Although things were tense between them in the immediate aftermath of the first fight, Walker said the three months since the initial encounter have allowed him to transition into a state of zen. He said he will bring no anger into the octagon, because fighting intelligently is going to be a critical component to getting his hand raised.
