Has Johnny Walker Reached his Ceiling?

[Wreckless]

It seems like his most memorable fights are the ones where he's getting KTFO.

I was suprised looking at his record to see he hadn't been finished more times than he did because everytime he fights It always feels like he's 2 seconds away from getting knocked out.

Once hyped as the guy to beat Jon Jones and still only 31 years old. Where do you see this guy headed in the next few years?

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

To Johnny's credit, he's only had 4 decisions in 30 matches.

That means in 26/30 matches, he has either finished (or been finished).

He has 16 KOs, and has been KO'd 5x (4-1).

This means, Johnny wins 70% of the time, loses 27% of the time (3% draw) ... of which Johnny will get the finish 76% of the time, or get finished 24% of the time.

Overall, it's a decent record, but he does not have the stuff of Champions.

 

[mjfan23]

I think he’s a win or two away from fighting and beating Alex P for the title

 

[dog y]

44% picked him over ankalaev on the poll yesterday.
I ridiculed all of them multiple times.

 

[blaseblase]

What's with the UFC booking unnecessary Ankalaev rematches against inferior opponents?

 

[goOb]

No but he’s definitely reached the flooring a few times.

 

[KOPPE]

yeah he is pretty tall

 

[Deleted member 110072]

To Johnny's credit, he's only had 4 decisions in 30 matches.

That means in 26/30 matches, he has either finished (or been finished).

He has 16 KOs, and has been KO'd 5x.

This means, Johnny wins 70% of the time, loses 27% of the time (3% draw) ... of which Johnny will get the finish 76% of the time, or get finished 24% of the time.

Overall, it's a decent record, but he does not have the stuff of Champions.

The problem I spose is more his recent style losing finishing ability.

I think he has a similar problem to Arlovski(albeit he's not on his level overall) were his aggression can make him vulnerable but without it he loses a lot of his effectiveness.

This fight you did kind of get the sense he was going to get caught in the end but whilst it lasted longer he wasnt really throwing anything to potentially finish Ankalaev.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

The problem I spose is most of the decisions are recent.

I think he has a similar problem to Arlovski(albeit he's not on his level overall) were his aggression can make him vulnerable but without it he loses a lot of his effectiveness.

This fight you did kind of get the sense he was going to get caught in the end but whilst it lasted longer he wasnt really throwing anything to potentially finish Anik.

Agree with this 100%.

In fact, I was going to start a thread on this very subject: Johnny Walker is most effective when he's the aggressor.

In the very beginning of the fight, he befuddled Ankalaev, pressured him, and threatened him.

However, the moment Walker ate a punch, he became defensive, cautious, and totally ineffective.

Completely concur that, since he's going to kill (or be killed) anyway, his best chances to BE the killer are when he's being offensive and aggressive.

As you said, when he's cautious, the fight may last longer, but his chances of winning disappear. He's basically holding off the inevitable.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Only if he fights Houston Alexander

 

[Deleted member 110072]

Agree with this 100%.

In fact, I was going to start a thread on this very subject: Johnny Walker is most effective when he's the aggressor.

In the very beginning of the fight, he befuddled Ankalaev, pressured him, and threatened him.

However, the moment Walker ate a punch, he became defensive, cautious, and totally ineffective.

Completely concur that, since he's going to kill (or be killed) anyway, his best chances to BE the killer are when he's being offensive and aggressive.

As you said, when he's cautious, the fight may last longer, but his chances of winning disappear. He's basically holding off the inevitable.

As with Arlovski I feel he's just not a very effective backfoot fighter and I think thats a skill which is very tough to learn latter in your career.

I can see why he'd be more defensive against opponents a bit lower down to avoid upsets but here I think he should probably have cut loose a bit more than he did.

 

[Poirierfan]

We haven't seen the best of Walker yet imo, I think there's still room for him to perfect his comedic falls.

 

[Copper Burner]

He can't take a shot. He will always be a can crusher because of that.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

As with Arlovski I feel he's just not a very effective backfoot fighter and I think thats a skill which is very tough to learn latter in your career.

I can see why he'd be more defensive against opponents a bit lower down to avoid upsets but here I think he should probably have cut loose a bit more than he did.

Johnny Walker = Freaky Offensive Fighter

He has zero aptitude as a "defensive tactician."

His fight strategy should always be to impose his physicality on someone, catching them cold, and an exciting firefight.

Win or lose, he still has his best chance of catching someone and winning that way.

 

[Khaosan]

He hit the ceiling and it KTFO him.

 

[JKS]

I think so, I don't see him getting much better.

 

[ookii]

He should stay so that he can build other fighters up by giving them really great highlight reels. Who knows? One day we might get a 360 face plant flop on the canvas

 

[jeff7b9]

Might as well go to HW, juice up and start working on the old jaw muscles.

Spoiler

Can anyone shoop this before after?

Before KTFO JW face or shadface

After ... maybe Easter Island head or Mark Hunt eating a CC headkick, or Jones eating a headkick

 

[LindyBrah]

Unless he’s pressing forward and putting it on his opponent he’s toast. If he’s tempered and cautious he gets decisioned in a snoozefest, or more commonly recently, they have enough time to find an opening and clip him. I’d like to see him try heavyweight, as the weight cut hinders his chin.

 

[johnkilo]

He hasn't been quite as good since he hurt his shoulder doing the worm after winning at UFC 235. Not saying it's responsible for his inconsistant performances, but just saying.