It didn’t take long for Johnny Walker to get his wish.
After Ovince Saint Preux’s injury forced him off of the UFC 235 card for March 2nd, Johnny Walker volunteered to make the swift turnaround to face Misha Cirkunov at the event. And according to an MMA Fighting report, Johnny Walker will get exactly what he asked for.
Johnny Walker last competed only 10 days ago at UFC Fortaleza, where he soundly vanquished Justin Ledet in only 15 seconds. And exactly one month later, he will return to competition to look to improve his UFC record to 3-0. As the saying goes, when opportunity knocks, answer the door. Johnny Walker now has an opportunity to win two fights within one month and most likely find himself in the UFC lightweight rankings if victorious over #14 ranked Misha Cirkunonv and the victor of three consecutive UFC fights.
Misha Cirkunov was expecting a veteran in Ovince Saint Preux, he will instead receive one of the hottest new prospects in the light heavyweight division. Cirkunov has lost two of his last three fights but is most recently coming off an impressive victory over Patrick Cummins last October via first-round arm-triangle choke. Not too long ago it was Misha Cirkunov who was considered the hottest prospect in the light heavyweight division. A victory over a new candidate for that honor in Johnny Walker would do well to reinstate Cirkunov for considerations for that moniker.
UFC 235 takes place on March 2nd from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. With the addition of Misha Cirkunov vs. Johnny Walker, the updated lineup is as follows:
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship Bout: Jon Jones © vs. Anthony Smith
Welterweight Championship Bout: Tyron Woodley © vs. Kamaru Usman
Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler
Tecia Torres vs. Weili Zhang
Cody Garbrandt vs. Pedro Munhoz
ESPN Prelims (8:15 PM ET)
Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Jeremy Stephens
Misha Cirkunov vs. Johnny Walker
Alejandro Perez vs. Song Yadong
Mickey Gall vs. Diego Sanchez
Fight Pass Prelims (6:15 PM ET)
Charles Byrd vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
Macy Chiasson vs. Gina Mazany
Frankie Saenz vs. Marlon Vera
Hannah Cifers vs. Polyana Viana
Who’s your pick for this light heavyweight bout between upstart Johnny Walker and Misha Cirkunov?