Introduction
Walker Johnny Silva Barra de Souza (born March 30, 1992), best known as Johnny Walker, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2013, he gained entrance into the UFC by competing on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. As of October 21, 2019, he is #11 in the 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 10 wins against 3 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 that country. 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 Tuesday Night Contender Series in August 2018. Although from Brazil, Walker chose to represent himself as from England as he felt that is where he was able to reach his potential.
Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series
Walker made his Tuesday Night Contender Series debut on August 11, 2018. He faced Henrique da Silva and won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–26). 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 second 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 TKO in the first round.
Walker is expected to face Nikita Krylov on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., Justin Ledet, and Misha Cirkunov
- MMAJunkie.com
- 2019 February Knockout of the Month
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 21 matches | 17 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 14 | 3 |
| By submission | 2 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 17–4 | Corey Anderson | TKO (punches) | UFC 244 | November 2, 2019 | 1 | 2:07 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 17–3 | Misha Cirkunov | TKO (flying knee and punches) | UFC 235 | March 2, 2019 | 1 | 0:36 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 16–3 | Justin Ledet | TKO (spinning backfist and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 | February 2, 2019 | 1 | 0:15 | Fortaleza, Brazil | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 15–3 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | KO (elbow) | UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio | November 17, 2018 | 1 | 1:57 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 14–3 | Henrique da Silva | Decision (unanimous) | Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 | August 11, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 | Cheick Kone | TKO (punches) | European Beatdown 3 | March 17, 2018 | 1 | N/A | Mons, Belgium | Won the EBD Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–3 | Jędrzej Maćkowiak | KO (knee and punches) | Krwawy Sport 1: Southampton | March 11, 2018 | 2 | 2:42 | Southampton, England | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 11–3 | Stuart Austin | KO (knee) | Ultimate Challenge MMA 54 | February 10, 2018 | 1 | 2:44 | London, England | Won the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–3 | Rodrigo Jesus | TKO (punches) | Brave Combat Federation 8: The Rise of Champions | August 12, 2017 | 1 | 2:18 | Curitiba, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–3 | Luis Guilherme de Andrade | Submission (guillotine choke) | Katana Fight: Gold Edition | March 25, 2017 | 1 | 0:29 | Colombo, Brazil | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 8–3 | Henrique Silva Lopes | KO (punches) | Jungle Fight 88 | June 25, 2016 | 1 | 0:18 | Poços de Caldas, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–2 | Fábio Vasconcelos | TKO (punches) | Imortal FC 4: Dynamite | May 21, 2016 | 1 | 4:10 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Loss | 7–2 | Klidson Abreu | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Samurai FC 12 | October 10, 2015 | 2 | 3:10 | Curitiba, Brazil | For the vacant Samurai FC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Murilo Grittz | TKO (punches) | PRVT: Garuva Top Fight | August 16, 2015 | 1 | 0:56 | Garuva, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–1 | Marck Polimeno | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PRVT: Afonso Pena Top Fight 3 | June 28, 2015 | 1 | 0:38 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–1 | Ricardo Pandora | TKO (punches) | Imortal FC 1: The Invasion | June 13, 2015 | 1 | 3:20 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–1 | Andrew Flores Smith | TKO (punches) | Peru Fighting Championship 21 | May 28, 2015 | 3 | 0:28 | Lima, Peru | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Wagner Prado | TKO (punches) | Team Nogueira Beach | November 29, 2014 | 2 | 3:40 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | João Vitor Lopes da Silva | TKO (punches) | Gigante Fight MMA 2 | October 11, 2014 | 1 | N/A | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Vitor Casanova | TKO (punches) | Ubá Fight 5 | September 13, 2014 | 1 | 4:38 | Ubá, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Francisco Francisco | TKO (knees and punches) | Circuito Invictus de MMA 2 | December 14, 2013 | 1 | 0:49 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |