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UFC 311 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Set to face Guskov
Walker will take on Bogdan Guskov in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Walker is looking to bounce back following an ugly loss to Volkan Oezdemir in June this year, and he needs to get a positive result -- or at least deliver a better showing -- considering his recent results. He's winless in his last three bouts, going 0-2 with one NC in that span. His last win came against Anthony Smith on May 13, 2023.
Walker is looking to bounce back following an ugly loss to Volkan Oezdemir in June this year, and he needs to get a positive result -- or at least deliver a better showing -- considering his recent results. He's winless in his last three bouts, going 0-2 with one NC in that span. His last win came against Anthony Smith on May 13, 2023.
No-shows Riyadh loss
Walker lost to Volkan Oezdemir via KO (punches) at 2:28 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
It was the ultimate no-show from Walker, who accomplished nothing offensively and spent the entire bout serving as a punching bag for Oezdemir. Simply put, you can't put forth this type of performance in a pick 'em fight if you fancy yourself any kind of contender. Perhaps we'll learn Walker was dealing with some injury or illness, but even that won't make the result any easier to stomach. The Brazilian is now winless (0-2, 1NC) in his past three fights and lightyears from the title picture, even in a thin light heavyweight division.
It was the ultimate no-show from Walker, who accomplished nothing offensively and spent the entire bout serving as a punching bag for Oezdemir. Simply put, you can't put forth this type of performance in a pick 'em fight if you fancy yourself any kind of contender. Perhaps we'll learn Walker was dealing with some injury or illness, but even that won't make the result any easier to stomach. The Brazilian is now winless (0-2, 1NC) in his past three fights and lightyears from the title picture, even in a thin light heavyweight division.
Looks to bounce back this summer
Walker will take on Volkan Oezdemir in a light heavyweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for June 22 in Saudi Arabia, UFC President Dana White announced Wednesday night.
ANALYSIS
Walker had put together an impressive three-fight winning streak before falling to a championship-caliber fighter in Magomed Ankalaev last January. He'll look to get back on track against a veteran and former title contender in Oezdemir, who has won two of his last three. Walker enters this matchup with a big advantage in power, in addition to being four inches taller with a seven-inch edge in reach.
Walker had put together an impressive three-fight winning streak before falling to a championship-caliber fighter in Magomed Ankalaev last January. He'll look to get back on track against a veteran and former title contender in Oezdemir, who has won two of his last three. Walker enters this matchup with a big advantage in power, in addition to being four inches taller with a seven-inch edge in reach.
Crushed in main event loss
Walker lost to Magomed Ankalaev via KO (punches) at 2:42 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Walker's effectiveness in this fight lasted somewhere around two minutes. After that, it was all Ankalaev, and that doesn't even cover the crucial mistake that eventually ended Johnny's evening. Walker is a big, strong guy, and he has a unique style. He does a lot of crazy things in the Octagon that look great if they land, but there's zero doubt Ankalaev was the more complete mixed martial artist. Johnny attempted a half-hearted knee up the middle that Magomed blocked before landing a right hand that floored him. The follow-up shot sent Walker into another galaxy. The 31-year-old Brazilian is notoriously inconsistent and still doesn't have a win over a top-tier contender during his entire UFC run. We very well may have already seen the best he has to offer inside the Octagon, but his aggressive, unorthodox style will likely still give him plenty of staying power.
Walker's effectiveness in this fight lasted somewhere around two minutes. After that, it was all Ankalaev, and that doesn't even cover the crucial mistake that eventually ended Johnny's evening. Walker is a big, strong guy, and he has a unique style. He does a lot of crazy things in the Octagon that look great if they land, but there's zero doubt Ankalaev was the more complete mixed martial artist. Johnny attempted a half-hearted knee up the middle that Magomed blocked before landing a right hand that floored him. The follow-up shot sent Walker into another galaxy. The 31-year-old Brazilian is notoriously inconsistent and still doesn't have a win over a top-tier contender during his entire UFC run. We very well may have already seen the best he has to offer inside the Octagon, but his aggressive, unorthodox style will likely still give him plenty of staying power.
Ankalaev rematch scheduled
Walker will compete against Magomed Ankalaev in a light heavyweight fight at UFC on ESPN+ 92 on Jan. 13, according to Shaheen Al-Shatti of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
At UFC 294, Walker and Ankalaev fought to a no-contest after the former was kneed in the face while down. Walker was perceived as being unable to continue, though the aftermath indicates otherwise. With both parties and everyone involved feeling unsatisfied after the chaos at that event, they will rematch in January to settle things once and for all.
At UFC 294, Walker and Ankalaev fought to a no-contest after the former was kneed in the face while down. Walker was perceived as being unable to continue, though the aftermath indicates otherwise. With both parties and everyone involved feeling unsatisfied after the chaos at that event, they will rematch in January to settle things once and for all.