Brazil’s Johnny Walker is on one heck of a hot streak and he’ll look to continue riding that momentum at UFC 235 against Canadian Misha Cirkunov.
News broke Saturday that Cirkunov’s scheduled opponent, Ovince Saint Preux, was forced to withdraw from the upcoming event due to an injury sustained in training. Walker offered to step up and his request was granted, as first reported by MMAFighting.
Walker (16-3) has picked up two impressive first-round stoppage victories within the past three months and has won eight in a row overall.
He knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr. with standing elbow strikes at a UFC Fight Night event in Buenos Aires, Argentina in mid-November and one-upped himself earlier this month when he finished Justin Ledet with a combination that began with a hook kick and spinning backfist.
JOHNNY WALKER!
WATCH https://t.co/7gsc6RQiv8 #UFCFortaleza pic.twitter.com/VDK6nNvL8h
— UFC (@ufc) February 3, 2019
At a shredded 6-foot-5 and just 26 years old, Walker is among the most intriguing rising contenders on the UFC roster. He is currently the No. 15-ranked contender in the UFC’s 205-pound weight class and in a thin division like light-heavyweight, Walker can immediately work his way into the title conversation with another convincing win.
UFC 235 is headlined by light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones taking on Anthony Smith, who earned his title shot with just three consecutive wins after moving up from the middleweight division less than one year ago following a loss.
Cirkunov (14-4-0) defeated Patrick Cummings by submission in October that snapped the first two-fight losing streak of his MMA career. The 31-year-old, who lives and trains primarily in the Toronto area, is the No. 14-ranked contender right now at 205 pounds.
UFC 235 takes place March 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Nevada. Here’s a look at the tentative fight card.
MAIN CARD
— Jon Jones (c) vs. Anthony Smith
— Tyron Woodley (c) vs. Kamaru Usman
— Robbie Lawler vs. Ben Askren
— Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang
— Cody Garbrandt vs. Pedro Munhoz
PRELIMINARY CARD
— Jeremy Stephens vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov
— Misha Cirkunov vs. Johnny Walker
— Diego Sanchez vs. Mickey Gall
— Marlon Vera vs. Frankie Saenz
— Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Charles Byrd
— Gina Mazany vs. Macy Chiasson
— Polyana Viana vs. Hannah Cifers
— Alejandro Pérez vs. Cody Stamann
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