Thiago Santos vs Johnny Walker UFC Fight Night predictions

Details:

Johnny Walker can spring an upset by knocking out Thiago Santos. Walker has been knocked out multiple times but a clever performance could keep him out of danger. Santos is a top talent but has struggled since returning from significant injuries. Cardio has been an issue.

If Walker uses his reach advantages to fight at range he can wear down and break down Santos.

• Johnny Walker has won by knockout 15 times
• Johnny Walker has a 6” reach advantage
• Johnny Walker has a 2” leg reach advantage
• Thiago Santos has been knocked out 3 times
• Thiago Santos has lost 3 consecutive fights

Thiago Santos Form

Thiago Santos rode a three-fight win streak at light-heavyweight to earn a title shot in 2019.

Santos became the first man to win a judge’s scorecard against then-champion Jon Jones, but the other two judges went with Jones.

The Brazilian suffered serious injuries in the loss and did not fight again for almost a year-and-a-half.

When Santos did return, in November 2020, he ran out of steam and was submitted by Glover Teixeira in the third round.

The 37-year-old’s losing run hit three fights in March of this year when he produced an uninspired display in a decision loss to Aleksandar Rakic.

That loss took his professional MMA record to 21-9. Santos has 15 KO/TKO wins and one submission success. Of his nine defeats, three have come by KO/TKO and three via submission.

Johnny Walker Form

Johnny Walker made a quick impression on the light-heavyweight division after signing with the UFC in 2018. He won his first three fights all inside the first round.

Walker beat Khalil Rountree Jr, Justin Ledet and Misha Cirkunov in a combined two minutes and 48 seconds.

His rise up the 205lb ladder was halted in emphatic fashion when he was knocked out inside one round by Corey Anderson.

Walker then dropped a decision to Nikita Krylov before finally getting back to winning ways last September.

The 29-year-old Brazilian took just under three minutes to beat Ryan Spann via strikes.

That took Walker’s record to 18-5. 15 wins have come via KO/TKO, with two by submission. In his five career losses, the Brazilian has been knocked out three times and submitted once.

Santos is almost 38 and has struggled since coming off serious knee surgery in 2019. He is still a dangerous fighter so Walker will have to fight smart, but there is a clear route to victory.

If he uses his reach to full effect Walker can protect his chin, wear down Santos and get the win.

Value Bet

Walker win by K.O.

3.0

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