Prediction for the fight Johnnie Walker vs Volkan Oezdemir

After coming off a slight upset against Magomed Ankalaev, Brazilian light heavyweight Johnny Walker will return to the cage at UFC on ABC 6 in Saudi Arabia against Volkan Oezdemir. Both fighters have seen a lot in the promotion's octagon and on the evening of June 22, they will share positions in the top ten, while Walker is a couple of points higher, so he will have something to defend. But can he cope with the Swiss's academic style?

• Johnnie Walker vs Volkan Oezdemir;
• Johnnie Walker;
• Volkan Oezdemir;
• Comparative analysis;
• Game Totals Prediction.

Johnnie Walker vs Volkan Oezdemir

Johnnie Walker

Johnny has also not moved anywhere for about a year, occupying 7th place. He willingly performed, and now trains, in Europe, where he won a couple of titles in regional organizations. After demonstrating his skills at Dana White's Contender Series, Walker flew into the UFC and began handing out knockouts until he himself took on the role of his victims. Starting in 2022, he experienced the second dawn of his career, but is now entering the cage after KO.

Strengths

When the production of MMA fighters standardized equipment, Johnny decided to skip everything that day, because his style is absolutely unpredictable. Now coach Kavanagh has made some adjustments and directed him in the right direction, but the Brazilian uses his tricks, ragged tempo and timings on a regular basis. Outstanding anthropometry, powerful punches and excellent footwork help him reach his opponents and, if the situation requires it, smash him with hammerfists on the Octagon surface.

Weaknesses

Walker suffers from his own eccentricity, using movements that sometimes bring him under attack. The fighter’s defense is a little lame, and he can’t be called a high-level ground player. At the same time, the big man Johnny’s jaw has already been broken, and he is not able to participate in the hacking.

The current form and readiness of the fighter

Walker is only 32 years old, but he has already experienced everything possible. Going on a streak of 3 victories over Kutselaba, Smith and Craig, he was unlucky to fall into the hands of Magomed Ankalaev. And if in the first fight everything ended due to an illegitimate blow, then in the second, the Brazilian was knocked out. With faithful adherence to the game plan and composure, Johnny can crack opponents like nuts, especially “tired veterans.” However, he could never be called stable, and despite his excellent form, anything can happen to this guy.

Volkan Oezdemir

Since last fall, when he had his last performance, Volkan has not changed his position in the rankings - he is still number 9. In the UFC, he showed good hopes until he lost in the title fight, because in nine subsequent fights, he achieved only 4 victories. Before MMA, he actively competed in amateur kickboxing, where he took trophies at regional venues, and also remained undefeated in the pros - a record of 5-0.

Strengths

Oezdemir shows himself excellent in the stand-up, confidently working from a long distance, using low kicks, and no less effectively drying out the body of opponents at close range, using his knees. In general, Volkan can demonstrate sticky fights, where there will be a lot of clinches, but such sluggish confrontations are quickly replaced by combos with which he stuns his opponents. Recently, submissions have also appeared in the athlete’s arsenal, although they are only effective against average players.

Weaknesses

Volkan lost both by knockout and submission, so there are definitely questions about his defense. Plus, in clashes with those who feel great on the ground, he has serious problems - closing the guard, he is not ready to offer anything other than tying hands. And in general, a fighter’s workrate gradually fades away over the years.

The current form and readiness of the fighter

The Swiss is 34 years old and his statistics look disappointing: victories over Bogdan Guskov and Paul Craig looked good, but this is far from the elite of the division. But the defeats to Krylov, Ankalaev and Prokhazka are direct evidence that he consistently cannot cope with opposition of this caliber. Volkan is in consistently good shape, rarely performs more than once a year, and at the moment, can be perceived as a gatekeeper, or an excellent counterpart to the same downed pilots.

Comparative analysis

Walker is the favorite not only in odds, but also in age and anthropometry. And in the standup, his technique, along with his arm length and talents as a counter-puncher, could pose a challenge for Oezdemir, who is used to fighting much more carefully and confidently. He is unlikely to be able to cope with the powerful Johnny on the ground, Volkan is not such a tough fighter to take such risks, so everything will be decided in the stand.

Here, the clinches, where Oezdemir is especially good, and the European’s ability to distribute his strength in rounds will play an important role. If he pins down his opponent in time and is active at close range, then it is not at all excluded that, having avoided Johnny’s dangerous swings, he will take the victory by decision of the judges. However, the matchmakers chose such an opponent for him so that he would not get bored for a long time in protracted and sticky sessions near the cage. Since 2020, the Brazilian has had 9 fights and only 3 of them reached a decision.

Most likely, Walker will either find the moment to land a stunning hit, or he will run into such a blow, because sudden sprints for Volkan also happen. And only if the jaw of one or the other does not tremble can we wait for a decision. So here, everything is quite complicated: Oezdemir’s game plan will definitely lead to a solution, and Johnny’s idea will lead to the finish. So who has more chances to win? Taking into account all the variables, Kavanagh’s pupil was made the favorite for a reason.

Johnnie Walker vs Volkan Oezdemir Prediction

The fight looks intriguing, at least because of the clash of two different striking styles. The somewhat careless and original Johnny will have to deal with the calibrated and precise Volkan, so it will not be easy for both of them. Considering that we are talking about light heavyweights with a tight punch, one of whom constantly provokes rapprochements and exchanges (we’re talking about Walker), in 15 minutes, a number of dangerous moments will definitely be created.

And despite the failure in the fight with Ankalaev, due to the speed, generated power and aggression, Johnny must take his toll. However, if the fight drags on, it is unlikely that they will give him victory. Risky, but still: betting that the fight will not reach the final gong (Total less (2.5) in rounds) looks one of the most attractive, since the chances of triumph are very close. Download 1xbet to your phone and place a bet on the favorite!

Prediction: Total less (2.5) for completed rounds