LAS VEGAS – It’s been 13 months since Johnny Walker set foot in a UFC cage, but the Brazilian light heavyweight believes the changes he’s made in that time away are going to pay huge dividends on Saturday night.
“It’s been so long, right?” Walker asked MMA Junkie at Wednesday media event. “A little bit more than one year. My last fight was in Vegas against Ryan Spann. It’s a long journey. I learned so much through this.”
Walker’s last fight saw him earn a much-needed TKO win over rising contender Ryan Spann. The result snapped a two-fight losing streak for Walker, and he appeared to be well on his way to regaining the momentum he had earned during the three-fight winning streak that started his UFC run. However, a torn pectoral muscle forced him to the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Walker said he didn’t sit idle while he was out and instead took the opportunity to revamp his entire approach to his career.
“It was difficult, but it was really good for my personal life because I realized so much stuff that I have to do to become what I want to be,” Walker said. “I think I’m more mature now, right? I’ve got more experience, and I’ve learned how my body works, what I have to do to become a champion, and I’ve learned from all of the mistakes, right? Now I’m committed to myself. I’m responsible for my life, for my family.
“I have so much to fight for, and I just realized, like what I’m doing with my life, and then I committed to myself, like I’m going to commit 100 percent of my time, so I spend all of my time – I just train, eat, sleep, repeat every day. Focus on my diet. Injury prevention. Improve all of my skills, technique, and you’re going to see Saturday night the big results of 100 percent focus. You know, I’m living like a champion now.”
Walker (18-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) returns to action at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 193 event, where he takes on fellow contender Thiago Santos (21-9 MMA, 13-8 UFC) at the UFC Apex. The entire card streams live on ESPN+.
It’s a key matchup in the 205-pound division, with Santos currently sitting at No. 14 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings, and Walker residing as an honorable mention. But for Walker, the number next to his name isn’t really what matters the most. Instead, he’s focused on showing the improvements he’s made while working under the tutelage of John Kavanagh at SBG Ireland.
“I improved every skill,” Walker said. “John Kavanagh is very smart. He doesn’t teach bullsh*t. He teaches things that are going to work. I improved all of my game: my jiu-jitsu, my boxing, muay Thai, wrestling. We train everything there, so I just got to another level.”
At just 29 years old, Walker is entering his athletic prime. He’s already shown the ability to do spectacular things in the cage, but he believes what he’s demonstrated so far is just the tip of the iceberg. With a newfound focus on all aspects of his career, Walker thinks big things are ahead, beginning with Saturday night.
“I’m here to take over,” Walker said. “I’m going to smash this division. I’m going to own this. This is my division now. I’m hungry. I’m ready
“If before, like the young guy with no experience, I did so much messing up, imagine now, focused the way that I am now with more experience. I’m a man now. I am not a boy, and I’m going to take over.”
To hear the full interview with Walker, check out the video above.
