Johnny Walker, who holds an 8-7 record in the UFC, will face Ante Delija, who is 1-2 in the promotion, at UFC Belgrade on August 1. The bout will take place in the heavyweight division. This matchup pairs Walker, a former light heavyweight who recently moved up in weight, against Delija, who has struggled to gain traction in the UFC. The source for this booking is Alex Behunin. Both fighters will be looking to improve their standing in the heavyweight ranks with this matchup. No further details about card placement or other fights on the Belgrade card were provided.
Johnny Walker and Ante Delija have been booked to meet in the heavyweight division at UFC Belgrade on August 1, with the matchup reported by Alex Behunin.
Walker enters the fight carrying a 22-10-0 professional record and an 8-7 mark inside the UFC. The 34-year-old Brazilian trains out of SBG Ireland and made his name as a light heavyweight, where he holds a divisional ranking of 11, before recently moving up to heavyweight. At six-foot-six with an 82-inch reach, he brings considerable size to the heavier division, along with an active striking output of 4.06 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He also attempts roughly 0.8 submissions per 15 minutes, adding a ground threat to his toolkit.
Delija, nicknamed "Walking Trouble," is a 34-year-old Croatian who holds a 24-6-0 overall record but has found the UFC a difficult environment, going 1-2 in the promotion. Standing six-foot-five with a 79-inch reach, he is a grappling-oriented fighter who averages nearly four takedown attempts per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy sits at a shade over 65 percent, though his volume of 1.2 significant strikes landed per minute reflects a style built more around controlling opponents than outworking them on the feet.
Why it matters
- Walker's size, reach advantage, and striking volume will be tested against Delija's persistent takedown threat
- A win for Walker would help establish him in the heavyweight ranks after transitioning from light heavyweight
- Delija badly needs a victory to avoid further slipping in UFC standings following back-to-back losses
- The result will shape where both fighters sit in a heavyweight division always hungry for credible contenders
