UFC Fight Night 144: Assuncao vs. Moraes 2 - Predictions and Picks

#5 Johnny Walker vs. Justin Ledet

Johnny Walker made an impressive UFC debut in 2018

Johnny Walker – surely the least Brazilian-sounding Brazilian in MMA history, judging by his name – was one of 2018’s most impressive debutants, as he took out Khalil Rountree in terrifying fashion, knocking out the dangerous kickboxer with some brutal short elbows in just under 2 minutes. Given he showed a lot of charisma in his post-fight interview, many have pegged Walker as a star in the making.

If he can get past Ledet here, then he’ll definitely be a man to watch. Formerly a Heavyweight, Ledet garnered some hype purely by looking like a crisp striker as a bigger man – happy to pick opponents apart with a jab-heavy assault – but then ended up being criticised for a lack of killer instinct when he went to decision with the unheralded Zu Anwanyu in 2017.

A drop to 205lbs followed, but Ledet was then comfortably beaten by Aleksandar Rakic in his first fight at Light-Heavyweight, as the Austrian destroyed him with a mix of leg kicks and ground strikes, completely exposing Ledet’s lack of speed at the smaller weight. That result doesn’t bode well for the American’s fight with Walker, as the Brazilian is a classic Muay Thai stylist who throws leg kicks with aplomb and is also happy working from the clinch with his elbows and knees.

Sure, it’s possible that I’m overrating Walker a little based on the Rountree win; all footage of him prior to that fight shows an ultra-aggressive – if sloppy at times – striker who’s quite happy to go into wild trades, but I feel like his style matches really well with Ledet, whose jab-heavy offense simply doesn’t look like it’ll work as well against quicker foes at 205lbs.

Throw in the fact that Ledet’s ground game didn’t look too hot against Rakic and the fact that he’s never really been a KO puncher throughout his career, and I think he’s in trouble against Walker here. I expect the Brazilian to use his leg kicks to chop at Ledet while looking for a big shot probably from the clinch, and I think he’ll find the ‘off’ button at some point and get Ledet out of there in violent fashion.

The Pick: Walker via second round KO