The UFC 287 saw an exciting middleweight fight between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. The two fighters had previously met thrice, with Pereira coming out on top in all encounters. However, the second MMA match-up proved to be different, as Adesanya defeated Pereira via knockout in the second round.

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The fight was not only exciting to watch, but it also changed the landscape of the middleweight as well as the light heavyweight division. Israel Adesanya reclaimed the middleweight title, whereas Alex Pereira moved to the light heavyweight division. This move immediately caught the attention of the fans and all fighters in the 205 lbs division.

Conor McGregor’s teammate welcomes Alex Pereira

One such fighter who welcomed the move was Johnny Walker. The Brazilian light heavyweight trains at the same gym (SBG Ireland) as Conor McGregor. Walker has been making waves in the division with his impressive performances and exciting fighting style. He has amassed a record of 20 wins and 7 losses. Walker is currently ranked #7 in the division.

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Johnny Walker faces Anthony Smith on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4. In the build-up to his fight, he appeared in an interview with MiddleEasy.

Read More“UFC Is Not Kickboxing”: Alex Pereira Gets a Reality Check From an Olympic Medalist Following His Loss Against Israel Adesanya

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When asked about it, Walker expressed his excitement about Pereira moving to the light heavyweight division. He said, “Please come. Everyone’s going to be happy to welcome him.”

The light heavyweight contender also addressed speculation about a possible fight against his compatriot.

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Walker talks about a potential fight against Pereira

The interviewer then asked Walker about a potential fight with Pereira. Walker was all for it and quickly replied by expressing that he has no hesitation to fight Pereira. According to Walker, he will be happy to fight Pereira, or anyone else for that matter, as he does not pick fights.

Alex Pereira

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“Yeah whatever it takes you know, I’m happy. This is what I do for a living. I don’t pick fights. Whatever UFC books for me, I accept and I’ll be happy. I go there, mission accomplished.”

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Watch This StoryWho Will Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 287?

A fight between Walker and Pereira would undoubtedly be a treat for the fans. We know both fighters for their explosive striking and knockout power. Pereira‘s move to light heavyweight has opened up new possibilities, with fighters like Walker welcoming him to the division. A potential fight between Walker and Pereira would undoubtedly be an exciting affair for the fans. What do you make of Walker’s comments? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Sushant Sharma

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Sushant Sharma is a UFC Content Analyst at EssentiallySports. A senior writer with almost 1000 articles under his belt, Sushant is always scanning the MMA landscape for current trends and breaking news. His knowledge and expertise in the sport are well-reflected in the ‘Opinion’ pieces he churns out from time to time. Sushant’s impactful style of writing has earned him a mention from boxing champion turned MMA star Claressa Shields. He is a constant presence in the live coverage team, updating the fans with all the latest news from live events in real time. In his free time, Sushant trains in combat sports and powerlifting. He is an accomplished powerlifter with silver and bronze medals at the State level. You can reach out to him at

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