Johnny Walker believes he’s in the middle of a career high at the moment, enough to lead to UFC gold.
The UFC light heavyweight contender returns to the octagon Saturday in the co-main event of UFC on ABC 4 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. The main card airs on ABC following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. Walker (20-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) takes on Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight bout.
And ahead one of the biggest fights of his career, the Brazilian is entering knowing he may earn himself an opportunity to fight for the UFC belt.
“Beating him up, whatever it takes, it’s going to show that I finish the guy that’s No. 5 in the rankings and that I’m ready for the title shot,” Walker told reporters at the UFC on ABC 4 media day on Wednesday.
“One hundred percent, I’m ready, but I’m going to keep training every day, and I’m going to develop my skills. You can get better every time you train, every camp you train, but depending on the performance that I’m going to put on, it’s going to tell me and everybody else if I’m ready or not.”
Walker is currently on a two-fight winning streak, having stopped Paul Craig in January and submitted Ion Cutelaba in September. He respects Smith (36-17 MMA, 11-7 UFC) but believes now is his time.
“He’s a very good fighter, a very experienced fighter, and he’s a really dangerous fighter,” Walker said when asked about Smith.” But I train really hard, and now I’m very committed to my career, and now I’m showing this in my last two fights. Whatever he has for me, I’m ready. I’m ready for the worst, so let him bring it.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 4.
