MMA Preview – Paul Craig vs Johnny Walker at UFC 283
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PAUL CRAIG VS JOHNNY WALKER FACTS
When is UFC 283? Sunday 22nd January, 2023 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 283? Jeunesse Arena, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 283? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 283
What channel is UFC 283 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 283? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
PAUL CRAIG VS JOHNNY WALKER LOWDOWN
Paul Craig’s (16-5-1) streak finally snapped last year on the London card. He was unbeaten in his last six and coming off big wins submitting Gadzhimurad Antigulov (2020), TKOing Shogun Rua (2020) and Jamahal Hall (2021) who headlines this card and a vintage submission over Nikita Krylov (2022) catching him in his seventh triangle choke. However, he then ran into Volkan Oezdemir who muscled his way out of the grappling initiations to earn a classy unanimous decision.
Johnny Walker (19-7) took a leaf out of Craig’s book back in September picking up his first submission win in the UFC. A first-round rear-naked choke over Ion Cutelaba earnt him a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus and came with immense relief after losing four of his last five to – Corey Anderson (2019), Krylov (2020), Thiago Santos (2021) and Hill (2022).
PAUL CRAIG VS JOHNNY WALKER PREDICTION
Walker showed a new string to his bow submitting Cutelaba, but he will try and avoid hitting the mat at all costs here. Their game plans will be obvious and that will be for Craig to drag the fight to the ground and Walker to light him up on the feet from range.
You have to feel 2018 Walker would smoke Craig. He has lost that confidence of bouncing around, being loose and throwing effortless knockout blows with all eight limbs. He has lost four times since and not looked the same.
However, his recent win will give him all the confidence. He knows he is a different league in the striking realm. If he is hesitant to throw however, Craig can catch him off guard and sneak it a few hits while Walker is expecting the takedown.
A Craig submission is always possible and if Walker has another off night, we can see him falling into a triangle. That said, we have a feeling a rejuvenated Walker will show up and use his explosiveness to shrug off and takedown attempts and leverage his six-inch reach advantage to eventually land the killer blow.
Craig is the value pick with underrated striking and an unforgiving submissions game.
Prediction: Walker via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Craig via Submission
