There are now two Walker brothers fighting under the UFC banner, but we’ll have to see if the latest to join the promotion will break out the “Worm.”
Valter Walker (11-0), brother of UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker, has booked his debut for the promotion, facing Jake Collier (13-9) in a heavyweight match-up at a Fight Night event on September 23, 2023.
The Walker brothers announced the news on social media on Monday.
Valter Walker will enter the fight off a win over UFC and PFL veteran Alex Nicholson at Titan FC 82, which saw him take home the Titan FC heavyweight championship. One fight earlier, he claimed another regional title, this one in Russia, winning the MMA Series heavyweight championship.
Collier, meanwhile, is a former middleweight turned heavyweight looking to pull out of a three-fight skid in the bout. He’s dropped fights to Andrei Arlovski, Chris Barnett, and most recently Martin Buday on his recent slide. Collier’s last win came in a Performance of the Night-earning effort against Chase Sherman in January 2022. The 34-year old submitted Sherman via rear-naked choke.
No location, venue, or broadcast plan has been announced for the UFC’s September 23, 2023 event. The following match-ups are attached to the card:
- Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva
- Jake Collier vs. Valter Walker
