Popular light heavyweight Johnny Walker is set to make the trip to Fight Island.
ESPN was first to report that Brazil’s Walker will take on Ryan Spann at UFC 253 in September. While nothing is set in stone as of yet, that card is expected to take place on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. In other words, “Fight Island.”
Walker (17-5) burst onto the scene in 2018 with an appearance on the Brazilian version of Dana White’s Contender Series. That led to three straight stoppage wins in the UFC’s rather thin light heavyweight division — a feat that quickly had some calling for a title shot for Walker.
However, back-to-back losses to Corey Anderson and Nikita Krylov have put a stop to that discussion for the time being. Instead, the focus for Walker now is just getting back in the win column.
Ryan Spann (18-5), meanwhile, has yet to lose in the UFC. Spann is a former LFA light heavyweight champion, and is currently on an eight-fight win streak dating to his time there. Four of those wins have come inside the UFC octagon. Most recently, he picked up a split decision win over Sam Alvey at UFC 249.
UFC 253 will take place September 19, 2020. If all goes according to plan, Israel Adesanya will defend his middleweight title against Paulo Costa in the main event.
