Valter Walker calls Vitor Petrino one of easiest fights he could get

Valter Walker has made it clear that he wants to fight Vitor Petrino. The Brazilian heavyweight has repeatedly called for a matchup with his fellow countryman and believes Petrino would be one of the most favorable opponents he could face in the UFC. Walker has also named Derrick Lewis and Josh Hokit among the other ranked opponents he would like to face.

Valter Walker Calls Vitor Petrino an Easy Matchup

Walker is in excellent form. The Brazilian is currently riding a five-fight winning streak, having defeated all of his opponents by first-round submissions. Now, as he plans the next step of his career, "The Foot Hunter" is looking for matchups that he considers favorable for him. One of the possible opponents is Petrino, who Walker has repeatedly called out in recent months.

"I want to fight him (Vitor Petrino)," Walker said during an interview on the Connect Cast podcast. "It's an interesting fight for me. To be honest, I've planned my career from the beginning, so I pick the fights that are favorable to me. I think Vitor Petrino is a favorable matchup for me. [...] The next fights I'd like to have would be Derrick Lewis, Vitor Petrino and Josh Hokit. From the top of the rankings, those are the fights I'd like to have."

One of the reasons Walker wants to face Petrino is that he considers him an easy matchup. In fact, The Foot Hunter believes "Cabuloso" is the easiest fight he can get among the top-15 ranked fighters. However, Walker is also aware that Petrino might not agree to the fight as he might just be targeting the top of the division.

"I don't know if he'll want to fight me because I'm behind him in the rankings," Walker said. "I think he's looking at the top of the division. But I'd like to fight him because I think he's the easiest opponent around there in the rankings. If we're looking at the easier guys, I think Petrino is one of the easiest fights I could get in the rankings."

Petrino is currently riding a four-fight winning streak, having defeated Serghei Spivac in his last appearance in August. The 29-year-old holds a 15-2 professional record.

Valter Walker Sees Commercial Potential in Vitor Petrino Fight

Despite his criticism of Petrino as an opponent, Walker believes the matchup would generate significant interest in Brazil. However, he sees a fight with Derrick Lewis as an even bigger commercial opportunity internationally.

"I believe a fight between Valter Walker and Vitor Petrino would sell very well in Brazil," Walker said. "Outside Brazil, I think a fight between me and Derrick Lewis would sell much better."

For now, neither Walker nor Petrino have a date set for their return to the Octagon. Walker, however, has made it clear that Petrino remains one of his preferred options as he looks to continue his climb up the heavyweight rankings.