UFC light heavyweight star Johnny Walker will make the move to heavyweight to face one of the division’s most accomplished contenders.
UFC fan favorite Johnny Walker’s most recent outing against former title challenger Dominick Reyes at UFC 327 wasn’t well-received by the fans earlier this month. In what was expected to be a back-and-forth battle with a potential highlight-reel finish, Walker and Reyes opted for a slow-paced fight that left the Kaseya Center crowd antsy.
Walker went on to lose the fight by split decision as Reyes moved one step closer to another potential title shot. It was a disappointing performance from Walker after a recent main event win over Zhang Mingyang in August.
Ahead of UFC 327, Walker seemed to tease a future move to the heavyweight division after a series of harsh cuts down to 205 lbs. After this latest light heavyweight setback at UFC 327, Walker is reportedly set to make the jump and face off with one of the division’s most intriguing contenders.
Johnny Walker’s heavyweight debut reportedly in the works for UFC Belgrade
As first reported by MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, Walker has verbally agreed to fight former Professional Fighters League heavyweight champ Ante Delija at a UFC Fight Night targeted for Belgrade, Serbia, on August 1st. This will mark the UFC’s first event in Serbia, and as of this writing, no other bouts have been announced for the card.
Delija, a top training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, is looking to get back on track after back-to-back losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Serghei Spivac. The former PFL star signed with the UFC in 2025 following multiple title runs in the league.
Walker’s heavyweight move marks a new chapter in the talented Brazilian’s UFC career. While his talent is unquestioned, his durability has been exposed in some of his most recent fights, and it’ll come under the spotlight again as he moves to the UFC’s baddest division.
What is your early prediction for Johnny Walker vs. Ante Delija? Let us know in the comments!
