UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker is living it up as a professional fighter as he gets ready to headline UFC Shanghai against Mingyang Zhang on Saturday.
“It’s what I’m born to be. I feel, when the cage close behind me, I feel that it’s a primal feeling. Something inside me want to wake up. Makes me very happy, make me free, and of course provide for my family,” Walker told reporters on Wednesday.
Walker’s (21-9) primal feeling doesn’t stop at just being a fighter. When asked if he would test Zhang’s grappling in the cage on Saturday he had a very stern answer.
“No. I’m a striker, and I’m going to strike him,” he said.
“He looks like me a few years ago. Once you face somebody higher level and lost.”
The Brazilian indeed sees himself in his Chinese counter part. Zhang has been on a tear for the last few years before reaching the UFC. Even though he’s faced some high level competition since arriving in the promotion he’s yet to taste defeat.
“I see myself when I was young and beating everybody. Trying to understand what’s happening,” he said.
“He’s a striker too. It’s what happened in my career. I (beat) a lot of guys and when I reached the top I wasn’t (at that) level yet, and I lose. So he’s just too young I believe to beat me now. He needs more experience. I know he’s a challenge. It’s going to be a big test for him and for me too.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Johnny Walker above. He takes on Mingyang Zhang in the headliner of UFC Shangai on Saturday.
