Johnny Walker (fighter)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
March 30, 1992
Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Heavyweight (2015–2016, 2018)
| Johnny Walker | |
|---|---|
_2025.jpg) Walker in 2025 | |
| Born | Walker Johnny Silva Barra de Souza March 30, 1992 Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 206 lb (93 kg; 14.7 st) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight (2013–2015, 2017–present) Heavyweight (2015–2016, 2018) |
| Reach | 82 in (208 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Team | Tristar Gym (2020)[2] SBG Ireland (2020–2024)[3] Xtreme Couture (2025–present)[4] |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[5] |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 33 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 17 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Walker Johnny Silva Barra de Souza[6] (born March 30, 1992), known as Johnny Walker, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2013, Walker gained entrance into the UFC by competing on Dana White's Contender Series and also previously competed for Jungle Fight in his native Brazil. As of April 14, 2026, he is #13 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[7]
Early career
Walker made his professional MMA debut in December 2013. Over the next four years, he fought in his native Brazil and earned a record of ten wins against three losses with all of his wins coming via stoppages.
Walker ended up receiving an offer from a Scottish businessman to train there and moved to Scotland. However, after a month he received no pay and left.[8] In early 2018, Walker made the move to England where he fought for various promotions and added 3 more wins to his record and earned a spot on Dana White's Contender Series in August 2018. Although from Brazil, Walker chose to represent England as he felt that is where he was able to reach his potential.[9]
Dana White's Contender Series
Walker made his Dana White's Contender Series debut on August 11, 2018. He faced Henrique da Silva and won the fight via unanimous decision. The win earned Walker a spot on the UFC's roster.[10][11]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his UFC promotional debut, Walker faced Khalil Rountree Jr. on November 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 140. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[12] The win earned Walker his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[13]
In his next fight, Walker faced Justin Ledet on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 144.[14] He won the fight via knockout just 15 seconds into the first round.[15] The win earned Walker his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.[16]
In a quick turnaround, Walker replaced an injured Ovince Saint Preux to face Misha Cirkunov on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235.[17] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. Post-fight, Walker stated he dislocated his shoulder during his celebration. The win also earned Walker his third consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.[18]
Walker faced Corey Anderson on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244.[19] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[20]
Walker faced Nikita Krylov on March 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 170.[21] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[22]
Walker was initially scheduled to face Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night 176 on September 5, 2020.[23] However, Walker tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was postponed to September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178.[23][24] After being knocked down twice by Spann, Walker won the fight by knockout in the first round.[25]
Walker was scheduled to face Jimmy Crute on March 27, 2021, at UFC 260.[26] However, Walker pulled out of the fight in early February citing a chest injury.[27]
Walker faced Thiago Santos on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193.[28] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[29]
As the first bout of his new six-fight contract, Walker faced Jamahal Hill on February 19, 2022, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 201.[30] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[31]
Walker faced Ion Cuțelaba on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279.[32] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[33] This win earned Walker his fourth Performance of the Night bonus award.[34]
Walker faced Paul Craig on January 21, 2023, at UFC 283.[35] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[36]
Walker faced Anthony Smith on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4.[37] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[38]
Walker faced Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294 on October 21, 2023.[39] The fight ended in a no-contest after an illegal knee by Ankalaev, as the cage-side doctor controversially deemed Walker was unable to continue the fight.[40] Due to the controversial ending, the bout with Ankalaev was rebooked for the main event at UFC Fight Night 234 on January 13, 2024.[41] Walker lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[42]
Walker faced Volkan Oezdemir on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.[43] He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.[44]
Walker was scheduled to face Bogdan Guskov on January 18, 2025 at UFC 311.[45] However, Walker withdrew from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Billy Elekana.[46]
Walker was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256.[47] However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to June 7, 2025 at UFC 316.[48] In turn, Walker pulled out in early May due to injury and was replaced by Brendson Ribeiro.[49]
Walker faced Zhang Mingyang on August 23, 2025 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 257.[50] He won the fight by technical knockout via leg kicks and punches in the second round.[51] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[52]
Walker faced Dominick Reyes on April 11, 2026 at UFC 327.[53] He lost the fight by split decision.[54] 5 out of 16 media outlets scored the contest for Walker.[55]
Move to Heavyweight
Walker is scheduled to make his debut in the heavyweight division against Ante Delija at UFC Fight Night 282.[56]
Personal life
He is the older half-brother of Valter Walker, a fellow UFC fighter who competes in the heavyweight division.[57]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Five times) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., Justin Ledet, Misha Cirkunov, Ion Cuțelaba and Zhang Mingyang[13][16][18][34][52]
- UFC.com Awards
- MMAJunkie.com
- 2019 February Knockout of the Month vs. Justin Ledet[59]
- European Beatdown
- 2018 EBD Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Ultimate Challenge MMA
- 2018 UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 33 matches | 22 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 17 | 6 |
| By submission | 3 | 1 |
| By decision | 2 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 22–10 (1) | Dominick Reyes | Decision (split) | UFC 327 | April 11, 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 22–9 (1) | Zhang Mingyang | TKO (leg kicks and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang | August 23, 2025 | 2 | 2:37 | Shanghai, China | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–9 (1) | Volkan Oezdemir | KO (punch) | UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov | June 22, 2024 | 1 | 2:28 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| Loss | 21–8 (1) | Magomed Ankalaev | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 | January 13, 2024 | 2 | 2:42 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| NC | 21–7 (1) | Magomed Ankalaev | NC (illegal knee) | UFC 294 | October 21, 2023 | 1 | 3:13 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Accidental illegal knee rendered Walker unable to continue. |
| Win | 21–7 | Anthony Smith | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida | May 13, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 20–7 | Paul Craig | TKO (punches) | UFC 283 | January 21, 2023 | 1 | 2:16 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 19–7 | Ion Cuțelaba | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 279 | September 10, 2022 | 1 | 4:37 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 18–7 | Jamahal Hill | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill | February 19, 2022 | 1 | 2:55 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 18–6 | Thiago Santos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker | October 2, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–5 | Ryan Spann | KO (elbows and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley | September 19, 2020 | 1 | 2:43 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 17–5 | Nikita Krylov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira | March 14, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Brasília, Brazil | |
| Loss | 17–4 | Corey Anderson | TKO (punches) | UFC 244 | November 2, 2019 | 1 | 2:07 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 17–3 | Misha Cirkunov | TKO (flying knee and punches) | UFC 235 | March 2, 2019 | 1 | 0:38 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 16–3 | Justin Ledet | TKO (spinning backfist and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 | February 2, 2019 | 1 | 0:15 | Fortaleza, Brazil | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 15–3 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | KO (elbow) | UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio | November 17, 2018 | 1 | 1:57 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 14–3 | Henrique da Silva | Decision (unanimous) | Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 | August 11, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 | Cheick Kone | TKO (punches) | European Beatdown 3 | March 17, 2018 | 1 | 3:04 | Mons, Belgium | Won the EBD Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–3 | Jędrzej Maćkowiak | KO (knee and punches) | Krwawy Sport 1 | March 11, 2018 | 2 | 2:42 | Southampton, England | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 11–3 | Stuart Austin | KO (knee) | Ultimate Challenge MMA 54 | February 10, 2018 | 1 | 2:44 | London, England | Won the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–3 | Rodrigo Jesus | TKO (punches) | Brave CF 8 | August 12, 2017 | 1 | 2:18 | Curitiba, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–3 | Luis Guilherme de Andrade | Submission (guillotine choke) | Katana Fight: Gold Edition | March 25, 2017 | 1 | 0:29 | Colombo, Brazil | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 8–3 | Henrique Silva Lopes | KO (punches) | Jungle Fight 88 | June 25, 2016 | 1 | 0:18 | Poços de Caldas, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–2 | Fábio Vasconcelos | TKO (punches) | Imortal FC 4 | May 21, 2016 | 1 | 4:10 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Loss | 7–2 | Klidson Abreu | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Samurai FC 12 | October 10, 2015 | 2 | 3:10 | Curitiba, Brazil | Heavyweight debut. For the vacant Samurai FC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Murilo Grittz | TKO (punches) | PRVT: Garuva Top Fight | August 16, 2015 | 1 | 0:56 | Garuva, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–1 | Marck Polimeno | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PRVT: Afonso Pena Top Fight 3 | June 28, 2015 | 1 | 0:38 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–1 | Ricardo Pandora | TKO (punches) | Imortal FC 1 | June 13, 2015 | 1 | 3:20 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–1 | Andrew Flores Smith | TKO (punches) | Peru FC 21 | May 28, 2015 | 3 | 0:28 | Lima, Peru | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Wagner Prado | TKO (punches) | Circuito Team Nogueira MMA Beach 1 | November 29, 2014 | 2 | 3:40 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | João Vitor Lopes da Silva | TKO (punches) | Gigante Fight MMA 2 | October 11, 2014 | 1 | N/A | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Vitor Casanova | TKO (punches) | Ubá Fight 5 | September 13, 2014 | 1 | 4:38 | Ubá, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Francisco Francisco | TKO (knees and punches) | Circuito Invictus de MMA 2 | December 14, 2013 | 1 | 0:49 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
