Johnny Walker will face Ante Delija at UFC Belgrade on August 1, according to reports from Alex Behunin. Walker holds an 8-7 record in the UFC while Delija is 1-2 in the promotion. The bout will take place in the heavyweight division, marking a significant matchup for both fighters looking to improve their standing. Walker will be seeking to get back to winning ways after his recent struggles in the UFC.
Johnny Walker and Ante Delija are set to collide at UFC Belgrade on August 1, a matchup reported by Alex Behunin that puts two physically imposing fighters on a collision course in the light heavyweight division.
Walker, a 34-year-old Brazilian training out of SBG Ireland, carries a 22-10-0 professional record into the bout, with an 8-7 mark inside the UFC. The six-foot-six Orthodox striker stands among the division's ranked contenders at number 11, and his offensive output is notable — landing 4.06 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. His reach of 82 inches, or 208 cm, gives him one of the longer wingspans in the weight class. Walker will be looking to reverse a run of inconsistent form that has kept him from establishing himself as a consistent threat in the top ten.
His opponent, Croatian fighter Ante Delija, known as "Walking Trouble," holds a 24-6-0 record overall and is 1-2 through his early UFC appearances. The 34-year-old stands six-foot-five with a 79-inch reach and brings a notably different skill set to the cage. Delija lands just 1.2 significant strikes per minute but does so at an impressive 65 percent accuracy rate, and his grappling credentials are substantial — he averages nearly four takedowns per 15 minutes, suggesting he will look to drag Walker into a wrestling battle.
Why it matters
- Walker's ranking at number 11 means a loss could push him further from title contention, while a win keeps him in the divisional conversation
- Delija's 1-2 UFC record makes this a must-win situation if he is to build a case for remaining on the roster
- The stylistic contrast is sharp — Walker's volume striking against Delija's high-percentage grappling sets up a compelling range-vs-takedown dynamic
- A UFC Belgrade main card slot gives both fighters significant exposure on an international stage
