UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker will look to get back on track when he returns to action on May 17.
After having his plans for fight against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 311 this past January scuppered by injury, the Brazilian veteran's layoff is approaching nine months.
But per MMA Junkie, Walker (21-9, 1 NC) won't have too much longer to wait, with the 32-year-old set to face the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov (14-0) at the UFC Fight Night event on May 17.
For the #10-ranked Johnny Walker, the bout will mark his latest opportunity at recording a first win since he defeated Anthony Smith in May 2023. The Brazilian has since gone winless across three fights, with a no contest against Magomed Ankalaev followed by two brutal knockouts versus the Dagestani in their rematch and Volkan Oezdemir.
Azamat Murzakanov, meanwhile, had his first fight in 16 months last August. The Russia reminded the division of his presence with a vicious KO victory over Alonzo Menifield to extend his UFC record to 4-0 and rise to #12 in the rankings.
With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night on May 17 are as follows:
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev (heavyweight)
- Johnny Walker vs. Azamat Murzakanov (light heavyweight)
- Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev (heavyweight)
- JunYong Park vs. Ismail Naurdiev (middleweight)
- Mohammed Usman vs. Hamdy Abdelwahab (heavyweight)