UFC 327: Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker Preview & Prediction
Two light heavyweight glass cannons collide at UFC 327, as Dominick Reyes takes on the unpredictable Johnny walker in a fight that is almost certainly ending inside the distance.
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker facts
What time are Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Kaseya Center, Miami, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 270
What TV channel is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg main card
Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg (Light Heavyweight)
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa (Light Heavyweight)
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit (Heavyweight)
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Cub Swanson vs Nate Landwehr (Featherweight)
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg prelims
Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico (Featherweight)
Mateusz Gamrot vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)
Kevin Holland vs Randy Brown (Welterweight)
Tatiana Suarez vs Loopy Godinez (Womens Strawweight)
MarQuel Mederos vs Chris Padilla (Lightweight)
Kelvin Gastelum vs Vicente Luque (Middleweight)
Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado (Welterweight)
Dominick Reyes: Uncrowned king looking to find form
Dominick Reyes (15-5) has had one of the most unfortunate careers in light heavyweight history. A title fight against Jon Jones that many believed he won on the scorecards set the tone for a cruel run - three consecutive KO losses followed before a resurgence that saw him reel off three straight finishes of his own. His most recent setback came at the hands of Carlos Ulberg, a genuine title contender fighting for the belt on the very same card, so the loss carries little shame. Reyes is a well-rounded, fundamentally sound striker who works best on the backfoot, finding counters with a lovely step-back straight and landing kicks at range. His takedown defence is solid, but his chin remains the defining question of his career.
Johnny Walker: Unpredictable Brazilian wrecking ball with finishing power to match
Johnny Walker (22-9) is one of the most difficult fighters in MMA to analyse, let alone prepare for. The 6'6" Brazilian with an 82-inch reach fights like a video game character - head kicks, flying knees, and spinning strikes thrown with a recklessness that somehow works more often than it should, finishing 77% of his wins by KO/TKO. His defence is clumsy and relies almost entirely on being out of range or landing first, and he can lose composure quickly in exchanges. His most recent performance was notably more measured though, breaking down Zhang Mingyang systematically with leg kicks to disable his movement before finding the finish in round two, a new dimension that makes him an even trickier proposition.
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker prediction
This fight has KO written all over it, the only question is which direction the violence falls. Both men carry serious finishing power and both have chins that have been exposed at the highest level - this will not be going to the judges.
Walker's unpredictability is his greatest weapon, but it's also his greatest weakness. His wild, ambitious striking and tendency to lose composure in exchanges play directly into the hands of a counter-puncher like Reyes, who is at his best on the backfoot waiting for opponents to overcommit. That step-back straight has the kind of accuracy and timing to find Walker on the way in, and Walker obliges his opponents by charging in often. Reyes also has the takedown defence to keep this standing in case Walker wants to shoot in.
The danger, as always with Reyes, is that one clean shot ends the night early. Walker is long and powerful enough to find the chin before Reyes settles. But Walker is just too wild and too hittable for a composed counter-striker to not capitalise.
Prediction: Dominick Reyes to win by KO/TKO
