Johnny Walker has thrown his identify into the ring as a candidate to battle for the UFC’s recently-vacated gentle heavyweight title.
Battle followers had been shocked this week when Jamahal Hill introduced that he’d determined to relinquish his gentle heavyweight belt after struggling a torn Achilles tendon that will maintain him sidelined for an prolonged time period. Following the instance set by his predecessor Jiří Procházka, “Candy Goals” elected to vacate the title quite than maintain up the remainder of the division whereas his harm healed.
Hill’s choice marked the third time lately {that a} gentle heavyweight champion has vacated the belt, and it didn’t take lengthy for Walker to inform Dana White and UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard that he was able to step in and battle for the title.
I’m prepared for a title shot now, I’m on a 3 battle win streak and able to go! I don’t care who it’s! @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @ufc @UFCBrasil #walkertime #ufc https://t.co/gAcPIyB4MG
— Johnny Walker (@JohnnyWalker) July 14, 2023
“I’m prepared for a title shot now, I’m on a 3 battle win streak and able to go! I don’t care who it’s!”
UFC’s Plans For LHW Title Unsure Following Jamahal Hill’s Harm
At present the UFC’s #5-ranked gentle heavyweight contender, Walker is likely to be within the dialog to battle for the division’s vacant title contemplating his latest resurgence.
The 31-year-old shortly made a reputation for himself within the UFC as a wild ending risk earlier than happening a tough 1-4 run, however the Brazilian rebounded from that skid with a pair of first-round finishes earlier than most lately successful a unanimous choice over former title challenger Anthony Smith.
Hill’s sudden announcement possible has the UFC contemplating a lot of choices for the vacant title and could also be Walker as an possibility, nonetheless one notably intriguing bout that’s already on the promotion’s calendar is the matchup between Jan Błachowicz and Alex Pereira at UFC 291.
“Poatan” is a former middleweight champion that will probably be transferring as much as the burden class for the primary time within the UFC, whereas Błachowicz is a former gentle heavyweight champion that additionally competed for the vacant title in his final battle when he and Magomed Ankalaev fought to a draw at UFC 282.
Some followers have already argued that the #2-ranked Ankalaev must be part of no matter gentle heavyweight title battle is booked subsequent, however the UFC could also be tempted to place the vacant title on the road at UFC 291 and bolster an occasion that followers are already eagerly waiting for.
Learn Additionally: Jiří Procházka Reacts to Jamahal Hill Relinquishing The LHW Title, Suggests Who Ought to Battle For The Belt Subsequent
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