Johnny Walker Believes He'd Thrive at Heavyweight After Sparring with Francis Ngannou

The Brazilian fighter says he's ready to move up in weight class after training with the former UFC heavyweight champion.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, neon-colored painting depicting two muscular MMA fighters engaged in an intense sparring match, their movements captured in a blur of vibrant brushstrokes that convey the raw power and energy of the sport.An explosive sparring session between heavyweight contenders hints at the power and potential of a fighter's move up in weight class.Today in Miami

Johnny Walker, a light heavyweight fighter in the UFC, believes he would perform better at the heavyweight division after sparring with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Walker says the diet and weight cut to make the 205-pound limit has been tough, and that he's been able to train well with the much heavier Ngannou, even while dieting. He plans to move up to heavyweight in the near future.

Why it matters

Walker's comments suggest he sees a path to greater success by competing at heavyweight, where he would not have to deal with the rigors of a weight cut. This could open up new opportunities for the Brazilian fighter, who has suffered some recent knockout losses at light heavyweight.

The details

Walker, 34, is set to face Dominick Reyes at UFC 327 in Miami this Saturday. The bout is on the same card as the light heavyweight title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg. While preparing for his fight, Walker has been training with Francis Ngannou at Xtreme Couture. Despite being about 44 pounds lighter than Ngannou while dieting, Walker says he's been able to spar with the former heavyweight champion without issue, leading him to believe he would perform even better at heavyweight without the weight cut.

  • Walker is scheduled to fight Dominick Reyes at UFC 327 on April 12, 2026.
  • Ngannou is set to make his MMA return on Netflix in May 2026.

The players

Johnny Walker

A 34-year-old Brazilian light heavyweight fighter in the UFC who believes he would thrive at heavyweight after sparring with Francis Ngannou.

Francis Ngannou

The former UFC heavyweight champion who Walker has been training with at Xtreme Couture ahead of his own MMA return on Netflix in May 2026.

Dominick Reyes

A former UFC light heavyweight title challenger who Walker is set to face at UFC 327 this Saturday.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've been training with Francis Ngannou, sparring with him. Even while dieting, with about a 44-pound difference since I'm much lighter now, I've been able to train with him just fine. Even in wrestling, strength, and ground-and-pound. If I can do that while dieting, imagine without it?”

— Johnny Walker, UFC Fighter

“It'd be way better (at heavyweight) because on a diet I can't train properly. I get dizzy, low on energy because of the lack of carbs. I can't wait to move up and be able to train at 100 percent, even close to the fight.”

— Johnny Walker, UFC Fighter

What’s next

Walker's performance against Dominick Reyes at UFC 327 this Saturday will be a key indicator of whether he is ready to make the move up to heavyweight. If he is victorious, he may pursue a heavyweight fight in the near future.

The takeaway

Johnny Walker's comments about his ability to spar effectively with the much larger Francis Ngannou while dieting suggest he believes he could find greater success by competing at heavyweight, where he would not have to endure the rigors of a weight cut. This could open up new opportunities for the Brazilian fighter as he looks to bounce back from recent knockout losses at light heavyweight.