Johnny Walker

Walker Johnny Silva Barra de Souza (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 August 22, 2026, he is #14 in the Meta UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Mixed martial arts career 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. 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.

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.

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. The win earned Walker his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

In his next fight, Walker faced Justin Ledet on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 144. He won the fight via knockout just 15 seconds into the first round. The win earned Walker his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.

In a quick turnaround, Walker replaced an injured Ovince Saint Preux to face Misha Cirkunov on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235. 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.

Walker faced Corey Anderson on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

Walker faced Nikita Krylov on March 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 170. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Walker was initially scheduled to face Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night 176 on September 5, 2020. However, Walker tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was postponed to September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 178. After being knocked down twice by Spann, Walker won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Walker was scheduled to face Jimmy Crute on March 27, 2021, at UFC 260. However, Walker pulled out of the fight in early February citing a chest injury.

Walker faced Thiago Santos on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Walker faced Ion Cuțelaba on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. This win earned Walker his fourth Performance of the Night bonus award.

Walker faced Paul Craig on January 21, 2023, at UFC 283. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

Walker faced Anthony Smith on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Walker faced Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294 on October 21, 2023. 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. Due to the controversial ending, the bout with Ankalaev was rebooked for the main event at UFC Fight Night 234 on January 13, 2024. Walker lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

Walker faced Volkan Oezdemir on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Walker was scheduled to face Bogdan Guskov on January 18, 2025 at UFC 311. However, Walker withdrew from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Billy Elekana.

Walker was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to June 7, 2025 at UFC 316. In turn, Walker pulled out in early May due to injury and was replaced by Brendson Ribeiro.

Walker faced Zhang Mingyang on August 23, 2025 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 257. He won the fight by technical knockout via leg kicks and punches in the second round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Walker faced Dominick Reyes on April 11, 2026 at UFC 327. He lost the fight by split decision. 5 out of 16 media outlets scored the contest for Walker.

Move to Heavyweight Walker was scheduled to make his debut in the heavyweight division against Ante Delija at UFC Fight Night 283. However, Delija pulled out due to injury and after a replacement was unsuccessfully sought, the bout was cancelled.

Walker is scheduled to face Mick Parkin on October 3, 2026 at UFC 332.

Personal life He is the older half-brother of Valter Walker, a fellow UFC fighter who competes in the heavyweight division. As of 2025, he is a brand ambassador, along with his brother, through a multi-year branding deal between the UFC and Spribe.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Five times) MMAJunkie.com 2019 February Knockout of the Month vs. Justin Ledet European Beatdown 2018 EBD Light Heavyweight Championship (One time) Ultimate Challenge MMA 2018 UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Dominick Reyes Decision (split) UFC 327

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Zhang Mingyang TKO (leg kicks and punches) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang

Shanghai, China Performance of the Night. Loss

Volkan Oezdemir KO (punch) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Loss

Magomed Ankalaev KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States NC

Magomed Ankalaev NC (illegal knee) UFC 294

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Accidental illegal knee rendered Walker unable to continue. Win

Anthony Smith Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Win

Paul Craig TKO (punches) UFC 283

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Ion Cuțelaba Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 279

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night. Loss

Jamahal Hill KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Thiago Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ryan Spann KO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Nikita Krylov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira

Brasília, Brazil Loss

Corey Anderson TKO (punches) UFC 244

New York City, New York, United States Win

Misha Cirkunov TKO (flying knee and punches) UFC 235

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night. Win

Justin Ledet TKO (spinning backfist and punches) UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2

Fortaleza, Brazil Performance of the Night. Win

Khalil Rountree Jr. KO (elbow) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio

Buenos Aires, Argentina Performance of the Night. Win

Henrique da Silva Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Cheick Kone TKO (punches) European Beatdown 3

Mons, Belgium Won the EBD Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Jędrzej Maćkowiak KO (knee and punches) Krwawy Sport 1

Southampton, England Heavyweight bout. Win

Stuart Austin KO (knee) Ultimate Challenge MMA 54

London, England Won the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Rodrigo Jesus TKO (punches) Brave CF 8

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Luis Guilherme de Andrade Submission (guillotine choke) Katana Fight: Gold Edition

Colombo, Brazil Return to Light Heavyweight. Loss

Henrique Silva Lopes KO (punches) Jungle Fight 88

Poços de Caldas, Brazil Win

Fábio Vasconcelos TKO (punches) Imortal FC 4

São José dos Pinhais, Brazil Loss

Klidson Abreu Submission (rear-naked choke) Samurai FC 12

Curitiba, Brazil Heavyweight debut. For the vacant Samurai FC Heavyweight Championship. Win

Murilo Grittz TKO (punches) PRVT: Garuva Top Fight

Garuva, Brazil Win

Marck Polimeno Submission (rear-naked choke) PRVT: Afonso Pena Top Fight 3

São José dos Pinhais, Brazil Win

Ricardo Pandora TKO (punches) Imortal FC 1

São José dos Pinhais, Brazil Win

Andrew Flores Smith TKO (punches) Peru FC 21

Lima, Peru Loss

Wagner Prado TKO (punches) Circuito Team Nogueira MMA Beach 1

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

João Vitor Lopes da Silva TKO (punches) Gigante Fight MMA 2

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Vitor Casanova TKO (punches) Ubá Fight 5

Ubá, Brazil Win

Francisco Francisco TKO (knees and punches) Circuito Invictus de MMA 2

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil