Johnny Walker is looking to turn a pivotal matchup with Dominick Reyes at UFC 327 into the start of a renewed push toward the light heavyweight title.
Walker meets Reyes on the main card at Kaseya Center in Miami, entering the bout with one UFC win in nearly three years, a bonus-winning knockout of Zhang Mingyang in August.
“Winning streaks are not everything,” Walker said while discussing his position in the division. He pointed to Khalil Rountree’s opportunity, noting, “Khalil Rountree fought (for the title) when he was (No.) 8. I've been No. 5, and I haven't had a title shot yet.”
Walker has back-to-back 2024 knockout losses to Magomed Ankalaev and Volkan Oezdemir, but believes a surge is still within reach. “I know my potential, and I believe two wins against two good guys, or three, can put me in a really good spot,” he said.
Reyes, a former UFC light heavyweight title challenger in 2020, shares the stage at UFC 327 with the division’s championship picture. Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg are scheduled to fight for the light heavyweight belt vacated by Alex Pereira on the same card.
