A compelling light heavyweight affair paired up the surging Ryan Spann and rebuilding Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 11. If the shine had come off Walker just a little in his two-fight skid, it wasn’t for lack of effort. Walker had jumped teams a couple of times, looking to find what worked. Ahead of Saturday night’s bout with Spann, he’d linked up with SBG Ireland, hoping to get back in the win column once more.
Spann, meanwhile, was sitting pretty on an eight-fight win streak, and looking to continue his climb up the rankings.
Walker opened up the fight with a kick followed with a hook, connecting early. Spann dove in for the take down and brought Walker to the mat but he was quick back to his feet. Against the cage both men worked inside the clinch and they reversed positions a few times until Walker exploded out. Spann immediately jumped back in with a left that dropped Walker. Spann dove onto a downed Walker and gained mount, but Walker recovered quickly and reversed out the back to his feet. Only to be clipped again and dropped again! However, Spann was tagged in the same exchange, and wobbled. Seeing Walker rocked, Spann rushed in but stumbled and ended up on knees in front of Walker. Walker took advantage of the sloppy takedown and absolutely hammered the down and compromised Spann. Walker rained elbows and punches down on a hurt Spann that forced the ref to jump in and call an end to the fight.
SOUND ON 🔊@JohnnyWalker ends it with DEVASTATING ELBOWS!
[ #UFCVegas11 – LIVE on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Bzl9lAthfh
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2020
Post-fight, Walker said he’s fight light heavyweights, heavyweights, anyone, anywhere. Don’t ever change, Johnny Walker. But stick to 205lbs for now.
Official Result: Johnny Walker def. Ryan Spann by TKO, Round 1, 2:43
