Since making the permanent move up to the heavyweight division earlier this year, Johnny Walker has wasted very little time establishing himself as a legitimate force among the promotion’s biggest athletes. Transitioning from the light heavyweight ranks, the 34-year-old Brazilian has seamlessly adapted to the 265-pound weight class, securing two impressive victories that have immediately put the rest of the division on notice.
Walker first made waves in his heavyweight debut by scoring a devastating knockout win over Mick Parkin. Just a month later, he returned to the Octagon to secure a commanding technical knockout victory against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 124. These back-to-back statement wins proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the hard-hitting striker possesses the power, durability, and skill set necessary to compete at the absolute highest level of the heavyweight division.
With momentum firmly on his side, Walker is already eyeing his next potential opportunity inside the Octagon. He has expressed a strong desire to face Josh Hokit next, pending the outcome of this weekend’s UFC 334 event, where Hokit is scheduled to challenge reigning heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane for the undisputed title. Should Hokit fall short in his championship bid, Walker has positioned himself as a ready and willing replacement to step in and shake up the divisional landscape.
However, while Walker’s ambitions in the heavyweight division are vast, there are strict and unbreakable boundaries regarding who he is willing to step into the cage with. Speaking in a recent interview with Home of Fight, the Brazilian knockout artist openly revealed that there are two specific fighters in the division he would never agree to face, regardless of how massive the financial offer or how high the stakes might be.
According to Walker, the first fighter he refuses to lock horns with is his primary training partner and high-ranking divisional contender, Alexander "Drago" Volkov. Beyond his close bond with Volkov, Walker also completely ruled out ever sharing the Octagon with his half-brother, Valter Walker, who is also carving out his own path in the combat sports world.
Detailing his stance during the interview, Walker explained that his personal relationships and mutual respect far outweigh any potential ranking or championship implications.
"I have no interest in fighting [Alexander Volkov], and he’s just a great guy and training partner," Walker stated. "I would never fight my brother, [Valter], so that’s two guys less in the division I have to worry about."
By removing his close training partner and his sibling from his competitive radar, Walker has effectively narrowed down the pool of potential matchups at the top of the division, prioritizing loyalty and camaraderie over the pursuit of climbing the divisional ladder through internal conflict.
Johnny Walker Wants Alexander Volkov To Fight For The Title Next
Walker’s loyalty to Alexander Volkov was further underscored during his post-fight Octagon interview following his victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Speaking with veteran broadcaster Michael Bisping under the bright lights of the UFC Vegas 124 cage, Walker made it clear that he believes Volkov is the most deserving contender for the next heavyweight championship opportunity. Rather than angling immediately for a title shot for himself, Walker voiced his support for his teammate, outlining an ambitious vision where Volkov claims the divisional crown first, paving the way for Walker to follow closely behind.
"I wanna go to New York with my buddy [Alexander Volkov]… He’s next for the championship. I am right behind him. Cuz when we [are] together, we are stronger," Walker told the live audience and viewers at home.
The sentiment highlights the tight-knit dynamic within their training camp, where mutual success is celebrated collectively rather than viewed purely through an individual lens. Despite their friendly alliance, however, Volkov’s path to a championship opportunity has faced unexpected hurdles within the promotion’s matchmaking landscape.
Known widely by his moniker "Drago," the Russian veteran is currently riding an impressive three-fight win streak and has successfully triumphed in seven of his last eight appearances inside the Octagon. Despite maintaining such a dominant run against top-tier competition, UFC matchmakers ultimately opted to fast-track Josh Hokit toward the next championship opportunity against Ciryl Gane at UFC 334.
This decision has left Volkov and his supporters scratching their heads, particularly given his sustained success at the pinnacle of the sport. Volkov has publicly questioned UFC CEO Dana White on multiple occasions regarding what benchmarks he still needs to reach or what performances he needs to deliver in order to secure a definitive title shot. As it stands, the seasoned Russian contender is still awaiting a clear and definitive answer from the promotion’s leadership regarding his future championship aspirations, even as teammates like Walker continue to advocate loudly on his behalf from within the heavyweight ranks.
