LAS VEGAS – Johnny Walker wants his next fight to be on home soil.
The UFC light heavyweight is targeting a return for early 2023 and wants a spot on the UFC 283 lineup, an event which is targeted for Jan. 21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Walker (19-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC), who’s coming off a submission win over Ion Cutelaba at Saturday’s UFC 279, says it would be a dream come true to be part of the UFC’s return to Brazil.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Walker said at the UFC 279 post-fight press conference. “UFC Rio is going to be a dream for me. I’ve never fought in Rio, and January 23 (Jan. 21) I think is going to be an amazing date for me.
“Monday, I’m back to the gym training. I’m going to keep my high performance. Of course, I don’t want to train really hard because I have a lot of time, but I want to keep myself in shape and diet and still commit. I’m ready to come back in January.”
The win over Cutelaba was very much in need for Walker. The 30-year-old entered UFC 279 on a two-fight losing streak and only 1-4 in his past five outings.
Safe to say, Walker is relieved to be back in the win column.
“Bro, I’m very, very happy,” Walker said. “Hard work pays off. I’ve been working my ass off for the last four or five months for this fight. A lot of commitment and consistency, and you see the results.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279
