Johnny Walker had a memorable heavyweight debut in October, knocking out Mick Parkin with a flying knee at UFC 332, and looks to keep the momentum going five weeks later when he takes on top-ranked Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the main event of UFC Vegas 124 on Saturday.
Walker and "WCA" received the call on eight days' notice after the cancellation of the original headliner, Sean Brady vs. Gabriel Bonfim, due to a Brady injury, and the Brazilian closed the deal after "a little negotiating" where he "asked for a few perks." Walker had little time to study and prepare for Cortes-Acosta, but vows to be prepared for the task.
"I'm ready. I hope 'Salsa Boy' is ready too, just like I am," Walker told MMA Fighting. "I'm hungry. I have two kids to feed at home now, so I have to be ready all the time."
"I asked for Derrick Lewis in January. I was planning to spend Christmas in Ireland with my wife's family," he continued. "Now it's even better. I get to fight now, and my year is taken care of. This is a Christmas present. Just need to get in a little more training, sharpen my hands a bit. The meat fell on the plate of the biggest carnivore there is [laughs]."
Walker had yet to study and break do...