TLDR
- Valter Walker dismissed Josh Hokit and Gable Steveson as serious threats in the UFC heavyweight division
- Walker returns from a broken leg to fight Thomas Petersen at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25
- The Brazilian contender was unimpressed by Steveson’s first-round knockout debut at UFC 329
- Walker has won four of his last five fights and submitted his last four opponents
- Walker said he would accept fights against Hokit, Steveson, or Vitor Petrino next
Sources: sherdog.com | mmasucka.com
Brazilian heavyweight Valter Walker does not believe the hype surrounding UFC rising stars Josh Hokit and Gable Steveson. Walker will face Thomas Petersen at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25.
Walker told MMA Fighting that neither fighter has done enough to convince him they are serious threats. The Brazilian contender said he would gladly take on either American heavyweight after his upcoming fight.
“I don’t think he’s a tough fight for me,” Walker said about Hokit. “Honestly, I don’t think he’s the fighter people are making him out to be.”
Walker continued his criticism by pointing to Hokit’s size. “Come on, he’s small,” he said.
Walker Unimpressed by Steveson’s UFC Debut
Gable Steveson made his UFC debut at UFC 329 on July 11, finishing Elisha Ellison in the first round with elbows and punches at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Despite Steveson’s Olympic wrestling background, Walker was not impressed.
“People say, ‘He’s a monster, an Olympic wrestling champion,'” Walker said. “Man, I watched Gable’s debut, and I wasn’t that impressed.”
Walker directly challenged both fighters. “I’m not scared of Josh Hokit or Gable Steveson one bit,” he added.
#UFCAbuDhabi's Valter Walker puts Josh Hokit, Gable Steveson, and Jon Jones on notice
📰 https://t.co/tbg3N5OcEB pic.twitter.com/n18ztPXP6z
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 22, 2026
The Brazilian fighter said he would accept fights against multiple opponents. “If that’s the next fight, bring it on,” Walker said. “It can be Gable Steveson, Josh Hokit, Vitor Petrino. I’ll take all of them.”
Walker, who holds a 15-1 MMA record and 4-1 UFC record, has won four of his past five fights. He last competed at UFC 321 on October 25, where he submitted Louie Sutherland with a heel hook in 84 seconds.
A scheduled fight against Marcin Tybura in Seattle on March 28 was postponed. Walker had been recovering from a broken left leg he suffered in the October fight.
Walker Claims Hokit Fight Could Be Main Event
Walker believes a potential fight with Hokit would generate major interest from fans. “We’re talking co-main event or even main event, because of all the trash we’d talk to each other,” he said.
Hokit improved his record to 10-0 at UFC Freedom 250, defeating Derrick Lewis by second-round knockout with punches. The fight took place on the south lawn of The White House in Washington, DC.
Since winning his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in August of last year, Hokit has won four of five Octagon fights by stoppage. He previously was on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.
Walker also discussed fighting Steveson as an opportunity to call out Jon Jones. “I beat him, climb on the cage, and spit in Jon Jones’ face,” Walker said. “People holding Jon Jones back while I’m screaming that I’m the GOAT and telling Jon Jones to go f*ck himself.”
Walker questioned whether fight fans truly understand the sport. “Fight fans don’t really understand fighting, you know?” he said about Hokit’s wins.
Walker poses a legitimate threat to both Americans with his grappling skills. He has submitted his last four opponents.
Walker returns to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, the same venue where he competed nine months ago. His opponent Thomas Petersen holds an 11-4 MMA record and 3-3 UFC record.
