LAS VEGAS – Johnny Walker did it again, this time stopping Misha Cirkunov for his third straight first-round UFC win.
The light heavyweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 235 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.
Walker (17-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) rushed to the center to start the contest and pumped a few fakes to gauge his opponent’s reactions. As Cirkunov (14-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) tried to feel him out and advance, Walker launched into a flying knee that landed clean and sent his opponent to the canvas. Walker jumped on top with battering punches to a covering opponent, and the contest was waved off at the 36-second mark of the round.
Afterward, a post-fight celebration saw Walker fall forward on the canvas and apparently injure his left shoulder.
“I think I was born for this; it’s natural ability,” Walker said after the win. “I train like hell, I don’t go to parties, I don’t drink alcohol, I’m on a diet year-round, I only have sweets on the weekends. I’m focused more than anything, 100 percent focused.
“The shoulder injury is no big deal. I can fight with one arm, it’s no problem for me. Anyone, anywhere, anytime, just send me location.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC 235 results include:
- Johnny Walker def. Misha Cirkunov via TKO (flying knee, punches) – Round 1, 0:36
- Cody Stamann def. Alejandro Perez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Diego Sanchez def. Mickey Gall via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:13
- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Charles Byrd via TKO (elbows, punches) – Round 1, 0:38
- Macy Chiasson def. Gina Mazany via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:49
- Hannah Cifers def. Polyana Viana via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
For complete coverage of UFC 235, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
