Valter Walker sends chilling warning to Josh Hokit, reveals reason behind their UFC rivalry

Valter Walker has lambasted Josh Hokit, sending an ominous warning to the American fighter whilst also highlighting how their heated rivalry came to be. 

Walker, who's on a four-fight submission win streak in the UFC, also indicated that his recovery from the foot injury that had kept him on the sidelines has gone well.

Brazil's Walker is set to make his much-awaited return to the octagon this month. The towering heavyweight is booked to clash against Thomas Petersen at UFC Abu Dhabi (aka UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Rountree Jr.) on July 25. 

Josh Hokit called out Valter Walker after his maiden UFC win in 2025

Valter Walker is a younger half-brother of Johnny Walker, with Johnny being a former longtime UFC light heavyweight contender who'll make his UFC heavyweight divisional debut against Ante Delija at the UFC Belgrade event on August 1. 

Valter Walker has lost just once in his professional MMA career, getting outpointed by Lukasz Brzeski in 2024. The submission maestro has since racked up a four-fight win streak, notching each of those wins via heel hook submission. 

"The Clean Monster" was booked to fight Marcin Tybura in March, but a foot injury forced him to withdraw from that matchup. Walker last competed in October of 2025. 

Intriguingly, the Josh Hokit vs. Valter Walker feud is believed to have been sparked in November 2025, which is when Hokit made his UFC main roster debut by beating Max Gimenis.

During his post-fight octagon interview after TKO'ing Gimenis, the DWCS (Dana White's Contender Series) alum issued a call-out to Walker by targeting Brazil. 

In an interview which many likened to MMA veteran Chael Sonnen's speech against Brazilian UFC icon Anderson Silva, the undefeated Hokit said, "I already stomped two Brazilians, and I'm looking for a third. Valter Walker, you absolutely s*ck."

It soon elicited a response from Walker, who fired back by vowing to beat Hokit and make the outspoken fighter respect his country, Brazil. 

Watch Josh Hokit's call-out of Valter Walker below: 

Valter Walker reignites rivalry with Josh Hokit ahead of imminent UFC return

While Josh Hokit continues lobbying for a UFC heavyweight title shot, Valter Walker is on a quest to return to the octagon after his injury hiatus. Both 28-year-olds are counted among the prominent young stars in the UFC today, albeit Hokit is currently ranked much higher in the heavyweight division than Walker. 

During a recent conversation with Jake Noecker of Home of Fight, Walker appeared to reignite his feud against Hokit. 

When asked about Hokit, Walker sent a warning to the polarizing American heavyweight, stating, "For this guy, I'm ready. For this guy, this guy is no problem for me, bro. This guy, Josh Hokit, I can broke his leg. But, please, when he tap, I don't gonna let him go." 

Noecker intervened and indicated that Walker would have to let go of his submission hold if Hokit taps, or else he risks being cut from the UFC roster. 

For context, the UFC, which is regarded as the world's premier MMA organization, is known to employ strict policies for athlete safety and takes austere punitive action against those who continue hurting an opponent despite the referee signaling to stop the action. 

Regardless, Walker said, "No. I'm gonna send him to the surgery, brother. If I take his leg, and he tap, I don't gonna let him go." 

Moreover, he alluded to the reason behind their rivalry, saying, "He talk sh** about my country. He talk sh** about Brazilian people. While before, when my leg is broke, he called my name on the microphone." 

Nevertheless, Walker clarified that it won't mean he'll rush himself into fights against the upper echelon of the heavyweight division.

Implying that the Hokit matchup may take some time to materialize, the heel hook submission expert noted, "But step by step. One day, we're gonna meet in the octagon. This is all what matter. One day, his foot gonna be mine." 

Watch Valter Walker discuss his Josh Hokit feud below (*comments at the 8:29-minute mark of the video):