Johnny and Valter Walker: From the Streets of Brazil to the UFC

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About the Author: Johnny Walker is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competing in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Known for his explosive style, unorthodox finishes and infectious energy, he has fought across the globe and trained with some of the sport’s top athletes. Born in Belford Roxo, Brazil, Walker now lives and trains in Las Vegas.

I’m writing this from Nashville, Tennessee, where I’ve come to support my brother ahead of his UFC on ESPN 70 fight with Kennedy Nzechukwu on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. Valter competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s heavyweight division. On Sunday, I’ll fly back to Las Vegas to continue my own training camp for UFC Shanghai in August. Sitting here watching him prepare, I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come, from where we started to where we are now. I was born in Belford Roxo, just outside Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s most dangerous cities. There was high crime, poverty and very little opportunity. That was my reality. That was home.

My father left before I was even born. He refused to put his name on my birth certificate. I guess you could say that was my first fight. My family was made up of my mother, my grandmother and my sister. At times, we had nothing, no money, no security, just each other. We lived in other people’s homes in exchange for cleaning or helping on small farms.

When I was 6 years old, my brother, Valter Walker, was born to a different mother. At the time, I didn’t understand why my father had another family, but I thought it was cool to have a little brother. The hardest part was that we didn’t grow up together. He lived far away, and we rarely saw each other.

Fighting wasn’t the plan. At 19, I was tall, skinny and lacked confidence. I started going to dance classes to improve my social skills and meet girls. The dance studio shared space with a muay thai gym. One day, a coach noticed me, my build, my energy, and invited me to try a class. I was hooked. I started training in muay thai, then jiu-jitsu and quickly moved into MMA. Within months, I turned pro. I never fought amateur. My dancing got better, too.

Fighting gave me direction, a goal and a way out. I moved to Curitiba to train with legends from Chute Boxe. I worked with Anderson Silva’s muay thai coach and trained alongside Wanderlei Silva. They were icons of the sport. From there, my journey took me all over the world: Scotland, England, Thailand, Russia, Canada, Ireland and now Las Vegas.

Valter’s MMA journey began while I was based in Southampton, England. I was struggling to find sparring partners big enough to push me. At 6-foot-5, it’s not easy. Valter, even taller than me, had just started studying law at university. I saw his potential, his size, his athleticism, and convinced him to drop out and join me in England. He worked as a waiter and trained with me daily. Like me, he was a natural.

Shortly after, I won two titles, one in England and one in Belgium, within two months. That led to a shot on Dana White’s Contender Series. I won by decision and earned a UFC contract. I started strong in the UFC, winning my first three fights and collecting three performance bonuses. Then came a setback. While celebrating one of those wins and doing my signature worm dance, I tore my shoulder. I needed surgery. I moved to Thailand to rehab, and Valter came with me. We trained together in Phuket, and it was there that I met my wife. Later, I moved to Moscow for another training camp. Once again, Valter followed. That’s where he met his wife. He has called Russia home ever since.

Today, I live in Las Vegas. I spent years in Ireland. It’s where my wife is from and where my son was born. Vegas is where I need to be, though. It’s close to the UFC Performance Institute and gives me everything I need to succeed. I haven’t fought since early 2024 due to injury and fight delays, but I’m ready now. I’m hungry. Nothing compares to the feeling of stepping into that cage. Being in the UFC means everything to me. It’s not just a career. It’s my purpose, my way to provide for my family and the life I was meant to live. Having my brother alongside me in the UFC makes it even more meaningful.

More than anything, I’m a father now. That changes everything. I didn’t grow up with a dad, and I’ll never let my son feel that same emptiness. I want to give him everything I didn’t have when I was young: love, guidance, discipline, opportunity. I want to raise a strong, kind, resilient young man. If I became who I am today with nothing, imagine what he could become with support.

Creating a legacy matters to me. I was the first fighter in my family. Now, Valter is walking beside me. Maybe one day my son will follow, too, but even if he doesn’t, the Walker name will stand for something: strength, sacrifice, perseverance. From the streets of Belford Roxo to the biggest stage in the world, this is just the beginning for us.