Light heavyweights Johnny Walker and Volkan Oezdemir kicked off Saturday’s UFC Saudi Arabia main card on ABC.
Walker’s last two fights had come opposite Magomed Ankalaev, with a No Contest in the pair’s initial meeting, then a knockout loss in the do-over. Oezdemir, meanwhile, was a former UFC title challenger with wins over Bogdan Guskov and Paul Craig sandwiching a loss to Nikita Krylov.
The outcome wasn’t much better for Johnny Walker on Saturday.
To start the fight Walker landed a couple teeps to the body and a few kicks to the legs. Volkan returned with a leg kick of his own, wadding into punching range ominously, hands held high. Walker continued to land leg kicks and teeps, staying light and mobile, as Volkan also threw some kicks targeting the legs.
About 90 seconds into the fight Oezdemir began to really open up with his hands. Oezdemir threw beautiful combos that began with punches to the body, and then targeting the head, before he landed a huge left hook that dropped Johnny Walker. Walker was able to return to his feet throwing a wild jumping knee and lost his footing. Volkan was able to corral his opponent, and expertly slipped a punch from Johnny and countered with a right hook that had Walker out. Volkan threw an extra punch on his opponent as he was near the ground, and rendered Walker completely stiff, unconscious.
Oezdemir takes out Walker in Round 1! 😱
[ #UFCSaudiArabia | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/RoujrV410t
— UFC (@ufc) June 22, 2024
After the victory, Volkan Oezdemir targeted a couple of former champs in Jan Blachowicz and Jamahal Hill. “My only direction is the top, guys. The belt is my destination now,” the Swiss light heavyweight exclaimed.
Official Result: Volkan Oezdemir def. Johnny Walker by KO, Round 1, 2:28
