Paul Craig looked to continue moving his way up the light heavyweight division’s top 10 on Saturday night at UFC 283. Standing in his way was dangerous Brazilian striker Johnny Walker. The two men squared off as part of the promotion’s main card emanating from Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Walker entered the contest coming off a first-round submission of Ion Cutelaba in September while Craig was eager to get back into the win column after dropping a unanimous decision loss to Volkan Oezdemir over the summer.
Round 1
Johnny Walker opens things up with a heavy leg kick. Craig responds with a body kick. Both fighters are hesitant through the first 90 seconds, wary of one another’s skillset. Craig lands a couple of calf kicks as Walker begins to pressure Craig. Walker chops back at Craig’s leg. Walker throws a front kick that Craig catches. While attempting to use it as an opportunity for a takedown, Craig eats a massive right that rocks him. Still holding the leg, Craig hits the canvas as Walker delivers a series of hammer fists that forces the referee to step in and call for the stoppage in the early going of round one.
Official Result: Johnny Walker def. Paul Craig via TKO (strikes) at 2:16 of Round 1
Check Out Highlights From Paul Craig vs. Johnny Walker at UFC 283
🤯 @JOHNNYWALKER JUST TORE THE ROOF OFF OF @JEUNESSEARENA!!! #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/fe0NDeRwPi
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
The worm is BACK!!
[ @JohnnyWalker | #UFC283 ] pic.twitter.com/LX3gGknjo8
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
There's only one @JohnnyWalker 😂 #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/noi4gJwrYu
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
