Valter Walker

Valter Ignacio Silva Souza

Mixed martial arts career Early career Walker moved to Moscow in 2018 to focus on training and began competing in mixed martial arts professionally in 2020. In his early professional career, Walker compiled an undefeated 11-0 record, competing eight times in Russia, once in his native Brazil and becoming the heavyweight champion in three regional promotions. His record consisted of six wins by knockout, one win by submission and four wins by decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On June 14, 2023, it was reported that Walker had signed with the UFC, and was scheduled to face Jake Collier on September 23 at UFC Fight Night 228. However, Walker later withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced by Mohammed Usman.

In his UFC debut, Walker faced Łukasz Brzeski on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240. He lost the fight by unanimous decision, marking his first loss in MMA.

Walker faced Junior Tafa on August 17, 2024, at UFC 305. He won the fight by submission in the first round after Tafa screamed in pain due to a heel hook.

Walker faced Don'Tale Mayes on Februar 15, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 251. He won the fight via heel hook submission in the first round.

Walker faced Kennedy Nzechukwu on July 12, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 70. He won the fight via heel hook submission in the first round, breaking the UFC record for most consecutive heel hook submission victories with three. The win earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus.

Walker was scheduled to face Mohammed Usman on October 11, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 261. However, Usman withdrew from the fight due to a failed drug test and Walker was subsequently rescheduled to fight promotional newcomer Louie Sutherland on October 25 at UFC 321. Walker won the fight via heel hook submission in the first round. With this win, Walker tied Rousimar Palhares for the most heel hook submissions (4) in UFC history, and extended his UFC record for most consecutive heel hook submissions to four. The win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Walker was scheduled to face Marcin Tybura on March 28, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 271. However, Walker withdrew due to a foot fracture.

Walker faced Thomas Petersen on July 25, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 282. He won the fight via a calf slicer submission in the first round. This fight earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.

Submission grappling career Walker faced Zion Clark in an openweight submission grappling match at Karate Combat 59 on February 13, 2026. Walker won the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.

His fighting style is described as being "aggressive and entertaining", with winning streaks closed by heel hook submissions.

Championships and accomplishments

Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times) Fourth most submission wins in UFC Heavyweight division history (5) UFC.com Awards 2025: Ranked #5 Submissions of the Year Titan FC Heavyweight Championship (One time) MMA Series Heavyweight Championship (One time) Arena Global MMA Heavyweight Championship (One time) MMA Mania 2025 #5 Ranked Submission of the Year MMA Fighting 2025 #3 Ranked Breakthrough Fighter of the Year 2025 #2 Ranked Submissions of the Year 2025 Second Team MMA All-Star

Personal life Walker is the younger half-brother of Johnny Walker, a fellow UFC fighter who competes in the light heavyweight division.

He resides in Moscow, Russia, since 2018 and has a permanent residency permit.

In 2025, Walker became a brand ambassador, along with Diego Lopes and Alexandre Pantoja, as part of the multi-year branding deal between the UFC and Spribe.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Thomas Petersen Submission (calf slicer) UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Louie Sutherland Submission (heel hook) UFC 321

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Kennedy Nzechukwu Submission (inverted heel hook) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Teixeira

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Don'Tale Mayes Submission (heel hook) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Junior Tafa Submission (heel hook) UFC 305

Perth, Australia Loss

Łukasz Brzeski Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alex Nicholson TKO (retirement) Titan FC 82

Novi Sad, Serbia Win

Cássio Barbosa de Oliveira KO (punches) MMA Series 67

Moscow, Russia Win

Ramadan Mohammed Suleiman TKO (punches) MMA Series 64

Hurghada, Egypt Win

Bunyod Akulov TKO (punches) MMA Series 60

Moscow, Russia Win

Ruslan Medzhidov Decision (unanimous) MMA Series 57

Moscow, Russia Win

Andrey Zhukovsky Decision (unanimous) MMA Series 54

Moscow, Russia Win

Wagner Maia Decision (split) Arena Global 16

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Aybek Kobenov Decision (unanimous) MMA Series 47

Moscow, Russia Win

Denis Kazakov TKO (retirement) GOR MMA

Moscow, Russia Win

Curtis Saha Touyem Submission (rear-naked choke) FFC: Selection 5

Moscow, Russia Win

Dmitriy Plyukhov TKO (punches) Studsport: St. George Cup 5

Moscow, Russia