RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesValter Walker met the media Saturday after his win over Thomas Petersen at UFC Fight Night 282.
Walker (16-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) has announced to the world at this point that he’s coming to take his opponents’ feet home with him. So to close out the prelims at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, he did essentially that to Petersen (11-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) with just the fourth calf slicer in UFC history.
Walker, the younger brother of longtime UFC fighter Johnny Walker, lost his promotional debut in 2024 by decision. After that, he had four straight heel hook finishes. And when he was about to do the same to Petersen, and Petersen tried to find a way to scramble out of it, Walker simply switched to another way to make Petersen tap to save his leg.
UNBELIEVABLE 😱 @ValterUFC locks in the calf-slicer for the victory at #UFCAbuDhabi ! [ LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/O9UPQDS1Oq
— UFC (@ufc) July 25, 2026 “If you’re ready for the heel hook, I have a variation to find a way to win the fight,” Walker told the UFC after the fight. “If the fight is on the ground, be careful. I will surprise you every time.”
Walker now has five straight wins at heavyweight, all by submission, all in the first round. And while a title shot isn’t a realistic expectation, the strange state of the division right now, coupled with Walker’s relative youth at 28, could mean he’ll be a top contender for years to come.
"If the fight is on the ground, be careful." Valter Walker collects his fifth-straight submission victory at #UFCAbuDhabi and gives his prediction for today's main event. Prelim Results ➡️ https://t.co/unjXsOEd6u @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/EvEu52mV4f
— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 25, 2026 That’s why he wants to be back when the promotion brings UFC 333 back to Abu Dhabi in October. He fought at that event last year and heel hooked Louie Sutherland in the first round for a bonus.
“I just want to relax a little bit now, take a holiday with my wife – but I want to fight again in October here. I’ll talk to my manager and find out who’s next,” Walker said.
Check out Walker's post-fight interview in the video above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Valter Walker keeps warning everyone, and still: ‘I will surprise you every time’
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