Johnny Walker has announced his intentions to transition to the heavyweight division. The light heavyweight contender explained that he trained and sparred with Francis Ngannou, and despite having approximately a 20kg weight difference while on his diet, he felt comfortable working with the former champion. Walker stated he would feel much better at heavyweight because dieting negatively impacts his training, causing dizziness and low energy due to insufficient carbohydrate intake. He believes the move would allow him to train more effectively without the constraints of weight cutting. The Brazilian fighter is seeking a fresh start in a new weight class where he can perform at his physical best.
Johnny Walker has publicly declared his intention to move up to the heavyweight division, citing the physical toll of weight cutting as the driving force behind the decision.
Walker, 34, currently sits ranked eleventh in the UFC light heavyweight division with a professional record of 22-10-0. The Brazilian fighter trains out of SBG Ireland and is a notable physical presence even at 205 pounds, standing six-foot-six (198 cm) with an 82-inch reach. He lands 4.06 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent striking accuracy rate, making him one of the more offensively active fighters in the division. Walker explained that the diet required to make light heavyweight has been undermining his preparation, causing dizziness and low energy from insufficient carbohydrate intake.
To test his viability at heavyweight, Walker sparred with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Despite a roughly 20-kilogram weight gap while Walker was in the middle of his diet, he reported feeling comfortable working with Ngannou, reinforcing his belief that he belongs at the heavier weight class. Ngannou, now 38 and carrying an 18-3-0 record, stands six-foot-four (193 cm) with an 83-inch reach, making him a credible and physically imposing measuring stick for any prospective heavyweight.
Why it matters
- Walker's combination of height, reach, and striking output could make him an immediate threat in a heavyweight division where athleticism is at a premium.
- Moving up would eliminate the weight-cut drain he describes, potentially unlocking a more explosive and consistent version of his game.
- A jump in division resets his competitive positioning, meaning his path to contention would need to be rebuilt from the ground up at heavyweight.
