Johnny Walker set for divisional change as UFC announces his next fight
Johnny Walker is looking for a change in divisional scenery as he moves up to heavyweight for a Fight Night bout scheduled for early August.
Johnny Walker, who once set the UFC light heavyweight division alight with his dynamic striking and explosive knockout power, has abandoned the 205-pound division in favor of plying his trade at heavyweight. He faces 34-fight veteran Ante Delija at UFC Fight Night 283 on Aug. 1 in Belgrade, Serbia, at the Belgrade Arena. The matchup is a do-or-die moment for Walker, who has struggled as of late, and is yet to reach the title-challenging heights once expected of him.
The implications of Johnny Walker's heavyweight move
While he's always been distinguished as a powerful puncher with a diverse array of strikes, Johnny Walker's issues with fundamentals and defensive striking are well-known. More glaring, however, is his chin, which has led to many labeling him a glass cannon. The hope is likely that, at heavyweight, he won't be drained by a weight cut and will be able to better absorb his opponent's shots. Furthermore, the division offers him a chance to rebuild himself and improve his 22-10 (1) record.
With a disappointing 1-3 (1) run in his last five fights, Walker has struggled for form at light heavyweight, most recently losing via split-decision to fellow knockout artist Dominick Reyes in a listless display at UFC 327. It isn't the first time he's been on a rough patch at light heavyweight either, having previously been on a 1-4 run before briefly turning things around with a three-fight win streak.
Walker last fought at heavyweight back in 2018, when he knocked out Jฤdrzej Maฤkowiak in round two at Krwawy Sport 1. Although a return to heavyweight, where he could benefit from the division's shallow nature, is his best chance at making a run at a UFC title, he runs the risk of facing his younger brother, Valter Walker, who also competes in the UFC heavyweight division and is currently on a four-fight win streak.
Bringing the big boys to Belgrade ๐ค ๐ #UFCBelgrade
โ UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 26, 2026
๐ญ๐ท Ante Delija vs @JohnnyWalker ๐ง๐ท
๐ท๐ธ Jovan Leka vs Max Gimenis ๐ง๐ท
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Though first, he must get past Ante Delija, who will also be desperate for a win after losing two consecutive fights, leaving his record at 26-8.
