Light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker has revealed his intention to transition to the heavyweight division. Walker cited his training and sparring experience with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou as evidence he can compete at the higher weight class. Despite having a 20-kilogram weight disadvantage during those sessions, Walker said he was able to work comfortably with Ngannou. The Brazilian fighter explained that he would feel much better at heavyweight because his current diet regimen leaves him dizzy and low on energy due to insufficient carbohydrates. Walker believes the move would allow him to train more effectively without the constraints of weight cutting.
Johnny Walker has publicly revealed his intention to move up from light heavyweight to heavyweight, citing both performance concerns at his current weight and encouraging sparring sessions with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Walker, 34, currently sits ranked 11th in the light heavyweight division with a professional record of 22-10. The Brazilian fighter, who trains out of SBG Ireland, stands six feet six inches tall with an 82-inch reach — measurements that already align comfortably with the heavyweight frame. He lands 4.06 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, numbers that suggest his output could translate well to the heavier division. Walker pointed to his sparring work with Ngannou as a confidence booster, noting that despite carrying roughly 20 kilograms less than the Cameroonian, he was able to move and compete comfortably in those sessions.
The dietary grind of competing at light heavyweight appears to be a key motivator. Walker described his current weight management as leaving him dizzy and drained due to a lack of carbohydrates, and suggested that training without those restrictions would allow him to perform at a higher level day to day.
Ngannou, 38, holds an 18-3 record and stands six feet four inches with an 83-inch reach, making Walker actually the taller man between the two.
Why it matters
- Walker's size — 198 cm, 208 cm reach — fits the heavyweight profile naturally, and the division shift could remove a weight-cut burden that he says is affecting his training quality.
- A move up would place him outside the current light heavyweight rankings, effectively resetting his divisional standing in a crowded heavyweight field.
- His striking volume and accuracy at light heavyweight offer an intriguing stylistic profile if those tools carry over to the heavier class.
