With a big opportunity on Saturday, electrifying contender Johnny Walker looks to reassert his standing while Jamahal Hill looks to take his place in the division at UFC Vegas 48.
Johnny Walker knows there’s plenty to be desired. The man whose style and personality often seem like they’re too much to contain has struggled to live up to his own lofty expectations in the past two years. After Corey Anderson snapped his nine fight win-streak and brought his momentum to a crashing halt, Walker was then unexpectedly stifled by Nikita Krylov in Brazil for the first consecutive losses of his MMA career. His descent was stopped by an epic rally to finish Ryan Spann, but a headliner against former title challenger Thiago Santos saw the normally electrifying Walker take an uncharacteristically cautious approach en route to losing a decision.
Saturday’s elevation to a main event comes at a critical time in Walker’s journey. Not yet 30 years old, he is at the perfect age and has the athletic gifts to continue to grow as a fighter. That said, to go 1-4 in five fights would firmly push him back in the rankings where he previously was on the cusp of challenging for the world title. Though the last year has proven that a return to the top would not be impossible, those previous examples also showed it will take a massive effort over time.
SWEET DREAMS!! 😴
🇺🇸 @JamahalH gets the finish in under a MINUTE! #UFCVegas44 pic.twitter.com/MMth2WnQNi
— UFC (@ufc) December 5, 2021
For Jamahal Hill, the increased spotlight could propel him into the mainline conversation of contenders looking to break into the historically stagnant light heavyweight division. Just shy of turning professional five years ago, “Sweet Dreams” opened his career at 5-0 before a Contender Series victory led to a UFC contract on a night that also saw fan favorites Billy Quarantillo and Terrance McKinney appear on the radar. Hill went on record three victories in the Octagon, though his win over Klidson Abreu in 2019 was overturned to a No Contest after he tested positive for marijuana and was suspended to six months.
Hill enters the bout at a tipping point. He suffered his first career loss in late 2020 to the resurgent Paul Craig and bounced back last year with a win over former interim title challenger Ovince Saint Preux. A victory for Hill would be the biggest of his career and make him one of the top up-and-comers at 205 pounds to watch in the second half of the year. A loss could raise questions as to whether he requires more seasoning before being ready to break into the top ten.
Stylistically, Walker enters the bout with more x-factors than Hill. Known for his unorthodox style, he went the distance in his last fight taking a conservative approach. While Walker’s impressive reach and explosiveness remain dangerous weapons, Hill can look to get the fight to the mat to neutralize the Brazilian’s offense. A well-rounded fighter, Hill should look to keep Walker on his heels and keep him against the fence as much as possible to set up takedowns. Walker’s best route to success will be in the center of the Octagon where he can set up any number of attacks from his vast arsenal of strikes.
You can feel the intensity through the screen 💢@JohnnyWalker vs @JamahalH goes down TOMORROW on @ESPNPlus 💥
[ #UFCVegas48 | Prelims 4 pmET | Main Card 7 pmET ] pic.twitter.com/IH52x1VdBe
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2022
Both Walker and Hill have fought several of the contenders near them in the rankings. One opponent who stands out is former two-time title challenger Dominick Reyes, who is expected to return to action later this year. Coming off three consecutive losses, “The Devastator” currently sits at number seven in the UFC’s light heavyweight rankings and the promotion could look to either propel him back towards the top of the division or build the winner of Walker vs Hill further.
