UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker delivered a major statement with his first-round TKO victory overPaul Craig at UFC 283. Walker racked up four UFC losses before returning to winning ways, and at the post-fight press conference Walker claimed that he wants to echo the achievements of Daniel Cormier and Walker’s fellow SBG Dublin fighter, Conor McGregor, and become a two-division champion.
“He’s champ-champ – two belts. Come on. That’s my dream, as well, and this guy did it. I want to be on his level one day. I want to be a good wrestler, improve all of my skills, because I want to be there. I want to be ready to do what he did.
Johnny Walker Announces Plan To Become Two-Division UFC Champion
I know it’s a huge thing to do. He’s a special fighter and a motivation not just for me, but everyone else. He’s a big, big motivation, and I want to do what he did.”
Walker’s two-fight winning streak won’t earn him a shot at the new champ, Jamahal Hill, straight away. However, Walker’s victory over Craig should enter into the equation. Paul Craig was the last fighter to defeat Hill, and Walker believes that his first-round stoppage victory was the best of his career. Jamahal Hill also knocked Johnny Walker out cold the last time they faced off, but the new, improved Johnny Walker believes things won’t go down the same way next time.
“This guy just finished Jamahal Hill, [Magomed] Ankalaev, and I just finished him. I know MMA is different because games don’t fit each other’s games. But I think this means something.
I finished a guy in the top 10 in the first round, and this guy already fought three rounds with Ankalaev and finished Hill in the first round, and then I finished him. It shows I’m getting better, and my evolution keeps going on. Every fight, I get a better fighter.”
On the night, Walker blasted Craig with a massive right hook during a takedown attempt. The shot wobbled Craig, who attempted to hold on to Walker’s leg to secure the takedown. Johnny Walker responded by unleashing a series of vicious hammer fists to Craig’s head, with Craig unable to defend himself. The referee stopped the fight within moments, and Johnny Walker got to enjoy a major win in front of a home crowd.
Do you think Johnny Walker has what it takes to reach champ-champ status? Let us know in the comments.
