Johnny Walker will headline UFC Shanghai against Mingyang Zhang on Saturday. Fighting evokes a primal feeling for Walker that makes him happy, free, and enables him to provide for his family. Walker identifies firmly as a striker and intends to keep the contest standing rather than test Zhang's grappling. Walker sees Zhang as similar to his younger self: a successful, aggressive striker who still needs top-level experience. Walker believes Zhang is a significant challenge but currently too young to beat him, framing the matchup as a major test for both fighters.
"It's what I'm born to be. I feel, when the cage close behind me, I feel that it's a primal feeling. Something inside me want to wake up. Makes me very happy, make me free, and of course provide for my family,"
"He's a striker too. It's what happened in my career. I (beat) a lot of guys and when I reached the top I wasn't (at that) level yet, and I lose. So he's just too young I believe to beat me now. He needs more experience. I know he's a challenge. It's going to be a big test for him and for me too."
"No. I'm a striker, and I'm going to strike him,"
Read at Cageside Press
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