The best and worst from UFC 244: Masvidal vs. Diaz

#2 Worst: The Johnny Walker hype train is derailed

Corey Anderson put a halt to the hype train of Johnny Walker

Despite his fight being placed on the preliminary portion of this card, Light-Heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker was coming into UFC 244 with perhaps more hype than anyone walking into Madison Square Garden last night.

He’d finished all three of his previous opponents in rapid fashion with violent, highlight reel strikes, and most fans agreed that if he could beat Corey Anderson, he’d probably be in line for a title shot against Jon Jones.

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Well, that hype train is now firmly derailed. Walker came out with his usual unorthodox movements and feints, but Anderson didn’t care about that, and nailed the Brazilian with a right hand before crushing him with a series of powerful, swarming punches. Walker wasn’t knocked unconscious, but he was well-beaten here.

It’s not that Anderson is a bad fighter; he’s clearly an excellent one and he could capture a title shot of his own now, but he’s also been around for years in the UFC and has plenty of losses to go along with his wins, meaning few people will give him a chance against Jones. Walker was a fresh and vibrant contender, and now he’s been knocked off his pedestal. And that’s firmly disappointing.

NO. OVERTIME. NEEDED.@CoreyA_MMA gets the finish and then lets Johnny Walker hear it 😡 #UFC244 pic.twitter.com/Dkz09TOpRi
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 3, 2019

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About the author

Scott is a veteran MMA writer with over two decades of experience, including his ongoing tenure in Sportskeeda, which began seven years ago. He has written over 3000 pieces for the organization, while also covering football. Before joining Sportskeeda, Scott wrote articles for websites like The Oratory and Inside Pulse MMA.

Scott has a degree in history, which drives his research skills and helps him compile accurate information. His long stint in the field helps Scott provide a clear take on important topics, such as the criticism of promotions regarding fighter pay. While he feels fighters deserve a bigger revenue share, he doesn’t want MMA to suffer with purse-split issues.

Scott’s work has been previously reshared by the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. He uses credible sources, such as the UFC’s official website, during the writing process.

His dedication to MMA writing won him the Feature Writer of the Month award for Sportskeeda in November 2021.

Outside of work, Scott likes to go to the gym, walk his dog, and travel.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram