Johnny Walker has firmly set his sights on the heavyweight division’s rising talent, expressing extreme confidence in a potential future matchup against upcoming title challenger Josh Hokit. Fresh off an impressive knockout victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 124, the dynamic Brazilian fighter is wasting no time mapping out his next moves inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Beyond eyeing a backup role for the high-stakes UFC 334 main event—which features heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane defending his title against Hokit—Walker is already looking ahead to a future collision course with the undefeated contender.
Speaking with MMA Fighting, Walker outlined his competitive timeline, noting that he would ideally like to step back into the Octagon in February or March of next year. During those discussions, the 34-year-old made it clear that he would love to welcome "The Incredible Hok" to the test, particularly if Hokit falls short against Gane this weekend at UFC 334.
Walker believes that despite Hokit’s grappling credentials, the stylistic matchup heavily favors his own diverse skill set. While acknowledging that the 28-year-old challenger possesses a solid wrestling background, Walker argued that Hokit’s overall MMA game remains incomplete, specifically pointing to perceived vulnerabilities in both his striking and jiu-jitsu departments. Furthermore, Walker highlighted a physical disparity, asserting that Hokit is relatively undersized for the heavyweight division, a factor that Walker believes will play right into his hands should they ever share the Octagon.
Johnny Walker Says He Can Catch Josh Hokit on the Ground or Knock Him Out Too
Delving deeper into how a potential fight between them would unfold, Walker expressed absolute assurance in his ability to neutralize Hokit regardless of where the action takes place. Whether the bout stays standing or hits the canvas, the Brazilian veteran feels confident that he holds the definitive advantage.
"I think Hokit has good wrestling, but his jiu-jitsu probably isn’t that good," Walker explained when breaking down the stylistic pairing. "And his striking isn’t crazy either. So I think that would be an excellent fight for me. He’s also light. He’s not that big."
Walker elaborated on his tactical outlook, emphasizing his comfort level in all phases of mixed martial arts competition. He believes his grappling depth would easily neutralize any takedown attempts from the wrestling-heavy contender, while his dangerous striking arsenal presents an immediate and constant threat on the feet.
"If he takes me down, I’ve got plenty of jiu-jitsu. I’ll sweep him; I’d catch him on the ground," Walker added. "And if he wants to stand and trade, I’d knock him out too. It’s going to be a tough fight for him."
The Heavyweight Landscape and Walker’s Road Ahead
Walker has looked entirely revitalized and increasingly dangerous since making the permanent transition up to the 265-pound heavyweight division. His seamless power transfer and comfort at the higher weight class have made him an immediate threat to the roster’s elite. However, despite his recent momentum and explosive finish over Cortes-Acosta, Walker understands that he still has work to do before finding himself directly in the championship conversation.
The immediate heavyweight picture is currently crowded with elite contenders and high-profile matchups. Following the conclusion of UFC 334 and the championship clash between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit, veteran contender Alexander Volkov is widely expected to be positioned as the next logical challenger for the divisional crown. At the same time, the upcoming heavyweight showdown at UFC 335 featuring former champion Alex Pereira and the devastating knockout artist Sergei Pavlovich is poised to add another critical layer to the title picture, potentially shifting the championship trajectory depending on the outcome.
For now, Walker’s immediate focus remains on securing a prominent spot on the upcoming fight cards for early next year while keeping a close eye on the championship landscape at UFC 334. Whether a fight against Hokit materializes in the coming months or the division shifts in a different direction, Walker has made his intentions abundantly clear: he is ready to test himself against the very best the heavyweight division has to offer and believes he holds the blueprint to dismantle the division’s newest title challengers.
