Johnny Walker will face Ante Delija in a heavyweight bout at UFC Belgrade on August 1st. On the same card, Jovan Leka will make his UFC debut against Max Gimenovis at heavyweight. Leka, 24, enters the promotion with a 13-2 record after winning on Contender Series but not receiving an immediate contract.
UFC Belgrade has a pair of heavyweight matchups taking shape, with Johnny Walker set to face Ante Delija on August 1st, while Jovan Leka will make his promotional debut against Max Gimenovis on the same card.
Walker enters the bout listed at light heavyweight in the UFC rankings, sitting at number 11 in that division, but will compete at heavyweight for this contest. The 34-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of SBG Ireland, carries a 22-10 record and brings genuine physical tools to the matchup. Standing six-foot-six with an 82-inch reach, he lands 4.06 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making him a constant offensive presence whenever he is on the feet.
Delija, nicknamed "Walking Trouble," is also 34 and represents Croatia with a 24-6 record. At six-foot-five with a 79-inch reach, he is physically comparable to Walker, though the two fighters present contrasting styles. Delija lands just 1.2 significant strikes per minute but connects at an impressive 65 percent accuracy rate, and he is an active wrestling threat, averaging nearly four takedowns per 15 minutes.
The co-feature introduces Jovan Leka to UFC competition. The 24-year-old arrives with a 13-2 record, having earned his contract through the Contender Series despite not receiving an immediate deal following his performance. He faces Max Gimenovis in what will be his first octagon appearance.
Why it matters
- Walker moving to heavyweight adds an intriguing divisional wrinkle for a ranked light heavyweight contender
- Delija's elite takedown rate against Walker's striking volume sets up a classic striker-versus-wrestler dynamic
- Leka's UFC debut carries extra weight given the unconventional path he took to reach the promotion
