Valter Walker Reveals Inspiration from Ronda Rousey to Achieve Unprecedented Feat in UFC

Valter Walker makes weight and confirms fight in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

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Valter Walker has a rather unusual inspiration to extend his UFC record. Scheduled to face Thomas Petersen at UFC Abu Dhabi , scheduled for this Saturday (25), the heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) arrives riding a four-fight win by heel hook and seeks inspiration from Ronda Rousey 's armlocks to continue with a sequence never seen before in the Ultimate octagon.

In an interview with 'UFC News', Valter Walker highlighted that, although the streak of submissions is unprecedented in the category, similar feats have happened in the past in other divisions. Walker cited Ronda Rousey as an example, recalling that the former champion built a dominant trajectory with eight consecutive armbar submissions. Inspired by this, the Brazilian believes he can repeat the feat, projecting to achieve similar numbers and reinforcing his confidence to continue betting on the strategy.

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“People talk like it’s the first time. Yes, it’s the first time in the heavyweight division that this has happened. But if you go back in time, you’ll see Ronda Rousey . She did eight armbars in a row and became champion. Why can’t I? Why can’t I do the same? Maybe six, seven times. I’m going to try,” said Valter Walker.

The heavyweight also explained that he already used the heel hook in training, but that his confidence increased significantly after successfully applying the move in the UFC. According to the fighter, repetition in training and fights strengthened his belief in the technique, allowing him to execute it more naturally and in different situations during combat.

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“Before, I used to do this in the gym (heel hook), but when you do it in the UFC for the first time, it gives me a lot of confidence in myself, in that skill. I started training more in the gym and believing in it more, and when I do it more in fights, I believe in myself more, you know? It gives me a lot of confidence in that movement. I started applying it from anywhere,” concluded the heavyweight.

Valter Walker made a rough start in the UFC. In April 2024, when he was still known as Johnny Walker 's brother , he was defeated by Lukas Brzeski by unanimous decision. However, the 'foot hunter' then staged an impressive comeback, defeating Junior Tafa , Don'Tale Mayes , Kennedy Nzechukwu, and Louie Sutherland , all in the first round with heel hook submissions.

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