TLDR
- Johnny Walker knocked out Mick Parkin at 3:35 of round one in his UFC heavyweight debut at UFC 332
- Walker has requested a fight against Marcin Tybura for December, preferably at UFC 335 in Las Vegas
- Tybura has lost three straight fights and last defeated Parkin in March 2025
- Walker says he wants more experience before facing top-ranked heavyweights
- Walker’s chin appeared to hold up better at heavyweight than during his light heavyweight career
Sources: sherdog.com | mmasucka.com
Johnny Walker made an explosive start to his heavyweight career at UFC 332, knocking out Mick Parkin with a flying knee at 3:35 of the first round. The Brazilian fighter has already identified his next target.
Walker told talkSPORT that he wants to face UFC veteran Marcin Tybura in December. He specifically mentioned UFC 335 in Las Vegas as his preferred event.
“I’ve asked for Marcin Tybura for my next fight,” Walker said. “If he’s ready for December, I would like to fight him.”
Johnny Walker hit the worm celebration after that insane knockout 😠#UFC332pic.twitter.com/mMG2GMtAVj https://t.co/kZc6ia5zHp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 3, 2026
Why Walker Chose Tybura
The Brazilian fighter explained his reasoning for targeting Tybura instead of jumping straight to ranked opponents. He believes he needs more time to adjust to the heavyweight division.
“I want more experience before I take higher-ranked levels of fights, because I believe I have to,” Walker said. “I don’t want to step ahead of myself.”
Walker pointed to Tybura’s experience as a key factor in his decision. The 40-year-old Polish fighter has competed in the UFC for a decade, making him an ideal next step for Walker’s heavyweight development.
Tybura enters this potential matchup on a three-fight losing streak. He dropped unanimous decisions to Tyrell Fortune and Aleksandar Rakic after being knocked out by Ante Delija in September 2025.
His last victory came against Parkin in March 2025, the same fighter Walker just defeated. Tybura currently holds no ranking in the heavyweight division.
Questions About Walker’s Heavyweight Future
Walker’s performance against Parkin raised eyebrows for several reasons. The fighter has historically struggled with his chin at light heavyweight, suffering several knockout losses throughout his career.
Those losses earned him criticism for their cartoonish nature. Some fans and analysts questioned whether he could survive the increased power of heavyweight punches.
At UFC 332, Walker took heavyweight shots without folding. He then demonstrated the athleticism and explosiveness that made him dangerous at light heavyweight.
Walker landed a flying knee in the Thai clinch before finishing Parkin with a second knee. The performance showcased his speed and power at the heavier weight class.
In his post-fight interview, Walker explained that cutting weight to make light heavyweight may have affected his durability. He said the weight cut drained his power and left his brain without enough moisture to absorb shots properly.
Walker previously competed at light heavyweight for years with mixed results. He knocked out fighters like Khalil Rountree Jr. in round one at UFC Fight Night 140 but also suffered several devastating knockout losses.
His opponent Parkin is now on a two-fight losing streak and holds no ranking in the division. This means Walker’s debut victory, while impressive, came against an unranked opponent.
The heavyweight division outside the top five features many slower, less athletic fighters. Walker’s speed and explosiveness could give him an edge against these opponents.
Walker fought at UFC 332 on October 5, 2026, marking the beginning of his heavyweight run. He now waits to see if the UFC will grant his request for a December fight against Tybura at UFC 335.
