Johnny Walker recalls his positive training history against his rival and reinforces his confidence for UFC Shanghai: 'It's mapped out'

Johnny Walker presents itself in UFC Shanghai. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @johnnywalker

Johnny Walker is confident that he will thwart the Chinese party in UFC Shanghai, scheduled for next Saturday (23). The Brazilian faces Zhang Mingyang in the main fight of the event and, even though his recent record makes him an underdog, he guarantees that he knows how to overcome the home team.

In an interview with UFC Brasil, Walker revealed that he had already trained with Zhang and, according to him, the time they spent together was enough to understand the Chinese fighter's weaknesses.

“Actually, I helped him fight against Anthony Smith"We sparred a lot, we also did Jiu-Jitsu at PI. I know his entire game, I know everything he does, I know his strength, his size, I know how to hit him. Not to belittle him, he's young, explosive, and strong, but he's already mapped out," said the Brazilian.

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Despite having studied his rival, Walker claims the feeling isn't mutual. This is because, while they trained together, he was injured and couldn't perform at his best, but he still managed to gain an advantage.

"And he didn't map me, because when I was training with him, I was injured and couldn't train hard, and even then I still let myself down, I did some things easily. Not to brag, it's just reality," Walker continued.

Even though he is going through a bad phase in his career, while his rival is on the rise, Walker believes that his knowledge of the Chinese and his experience will be decisive inside the octagon.

"I have to beat this guy. I know his entire game, I know how he fights, and I'm much more experienced than him. He's never fought a guy in the Top 10 who's fighting for the belt," he concluded.

Signed through the Contender Series, Johnny Walker impressed upon his arrival at the UFCThe Brazilian won three fights in a row by knockout, but in his fourth fight he felt the bitter taste of defeat.

Currently, Johnny has accumulated two knockout losses in his last three appearances, in addition to a no-contest duel. Zhang Mingyang, in turn, is undefeated in the UFC and is on a streak of 11 consecutive victories, all in the first round.