Walker Rallies From Deficit To Knock Out Cortes-Acosta

Johnny Walker battled back from the brink to knock out Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the third round of their heavyweight main event at UFC Vegas 124 on Saturday night.

Walker absorbed heavy punishment through the first two rounds, per MMA Fighting's live coverage. Cortes-Acosta landed multiple right hands that wobbled the Brazilian and controlled the mat late in the second frame. Two of three judges scored both opening rounds for the Dominican Republic native, but Walker stunned Cortes-Acosta with a head kick early in round three. A charging combination dropped Cortes-Acosta and referee Jason Herzog waved it off at 2:27.

Walker Shuts Down Chin Critics After Main Event Finish

The finish capped a wild slugfest that drew reactions across the MMA community. Walker called out critics after the stoppage, yelling that fans who questioned his durability now had their answer. He improved to 2-0 at heavyweight following a knockout debut over Mick Parkin at UFC 332 last month. Cortes-Acosta entered as a minus-225 favorite despite riding a two-fight skid, including a decision loss to Curtis Blaydes in September.

MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew scored the first round for Walker based on leg kick volume, though Cortes-Acosta landed the cleaner power shots. The second belonged to Cortes-Acosta after he hurt Walker on the feet and took top position in half guard. Walker appeared exhausted entering the final frame, but the Brazilian capitalized when Cortes-Acosta slowed and left himself exposed.

Walker moves into the heavyweight top ten with his second straight finish in the division. He told Michael Bisping after the fight that he plans to attend UFC New York next week with training partner Alexander Volkov to scout the title picture.

Photo by Nick Wang on Unsplash

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — UFC Vegas 124 post-fight show: Reaction to Johnny Walker’s knockout in wild main event | MMA Fighting
• mmafighting.com — ‘At the APEX is criminal’: Pros react to insane Johnny Walker knockout win in UFC Vegas 124 main event | MMA Fighting
• mmafighting.com — Johnny Walker puts Waldo Cortes Acosta down and out with nasty knockout in UFC Vegas 124 main event | MMA Fighting
• mmafighting.com — UFC Vegas 124 live blog: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Johnny Walker | MMA Fighting
• mmamania.com — Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Johnny Walker: Odds, full fight preview and prediction | UFC Vegas 124 | MMA Mania