Johnny Walker will meet Ante Delija in a heavyweight bout at UFC Belgrade on August 1, 2026. Walker holds an 8-7 record in the UFC, while Delija is 1-2 in the promotion. The matchup was reported by insider Alex Behunin. This represents an important fight for both men as they look to improve their standing in the heavyweight division. Walker has been competing primarily at light heavyweight but appears to be moving up in weight for this contest.
Johnny Walker and Ante Delija are set to collide in a heavyweight bout at UFC Belgrade on August 1, 2026, according to a report from insider Alex Behunin.
Walker, a 34-year-old Brazilian fighting out of SBG Ireland, carries a 22-10-0 overall record and has gone 8-7 inside the octagon. He is currently ranked 11th in the UFC light heavyweight division, making this contest a notable step up in weight class. Standing six-foot-six with an 82-inch reach, Walker brings serious length to any fight. He lands 4.06 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, marking him as an active and efficient striker at 205 pounds.
Delija, nicknamed "Walking Trouble," is a 34-year-old Croatian with an overall record of 24-6-0 and a 1-2 mark in the UFC. The six-foot-five heavyweight possesses a 79-inch reach and has shown strong wrestling credentials, averaging 3.97 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy sits at an impressive 65 percent, though he generates less volume than Walker at 1.2 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Walker moving up from light heavyweight to heavyweight adds intrigue, testing whether his frame and striking translate against true heavyweights.
- Delija needs a win to avoid slipping further in his UFC tenure at 1-2, while Walker at 8-7 is equally in need of momentum.
- The stylistic contrast is sharp — Walker's length and striking output against Delija's takedown-heavy, accuracy-focused approach sets up an interesting tactical puzzle.
- A win for either man could push them into more meaningful divisional conversations at heavyweight.
