Light heavyweight bout between Johnny Walker (8-7 UFC) and Ante Delija (1-2 UFC) has been scheduled for UFC Belgrade on August 1, according to source AlexBehunin. The fight will actually take place in the heavyweight division despite Walker's background at 205 pounds. Walker has struggled in his recent UFC run with a 8-7 record, while Delija is 1-2 in the promotion. This represents a move up in weight class for Walker as he looks to revitalize his UFC career.
Johnny Walker will step up to heavyweight for a bout against Ante Delija at UFC Belgrade on August 1, a matchup first reported by source AlexBehunin. Walker, who has spent his UFC career competing at light heavyweight, makes the jump to 265 pounds as he looks to reinvigorate his run in the promotion.
Walker enters the fight holding a 22-10-0 professional record, going 8-7 inside the octagon. The 34-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of SBG Ireland, is a towering presence at six-foot-six with an 82-inch reach — among the longest in the light heavyweight division. He generates significant offense on the feet, landing 4.06 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, though his wrestling output remains modest at 0.42 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Delija, nicknamed "Walking TROUBLE," carries a 24-6-0 overall record into the contest with a 1-2 mark in the UFC. The 34-year-old Croatian stands six-foot-five with a 79-inch reach and brings a strong grappling base to the heavyweight division, averaging nearly four takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy of 65 percent is elite, though his volume sits lower at 1.2 significant strikes per minute, suggesting a more measured, control-oriented approach.
Why it matters
- Walker's move to heavyweight is a notable career pivot, testing whether his frame translates to success at the heavier weight class.
- Delija's takedown volume of 3.97 per 15 minutes poses a direct stylistic challenge to Walker's striking-heavy game.
- A win for either fighter would provide meaningful momentum; both men need a result to strengthen their standing in the promotion.
- The matchup features contrasting styles — Walker's high-output striking against Delija's takedown-based wrestling — making for a clear tactical battle.
