UFC heavyweight Valter Walker says he’s a new man - and fighter - thanks to his wife and his Muslim teammates.
Walker moved to Russia to follow his brother Johnny Walker six years ago. When Johnny already was competing under the bright lights of the UFC, all he wanted was to party and have fun. When reality hit — and he got beat in the gym over and over again —, Walker realized he needed to be more serious if he wanted to build a professional career in mixed martial arts and maybe one day join his brother in the big leagues.
“I changed from water to wine [when I got married],” Walker told MMA Fighting. “I was crazy back then. I didn’t even train right. I tell my wife she gave me an opportunity to become an athlete. My brother first gave me an opportunity, but I didn’t have this mindset. All I wanted was to date women and party every weekend. My focus was to hook up with women. There was a time I had six girlfriends.
“You can’t focus [in MMA] while doing that, man. I met a different woman every day. I wanted to leave the gym to meet women. The last five years that I’m married, it’s home-gym-home-gym. And the result is here. I train professionally for six years, and I’m already in the UFC. Some people train for 10 years and haven’t gotten in the UFC yet.”
According to Walker, being surrounded by Muslim athletes at GOR MMA has also contributed to his success. Walker won 10 straight in the Russian circuit before claiming the Titan FC heavyweight title with a stoppage over veteran Alex Nicholson, earning a shot in the UFC in 2024. Training sessions in Russia may include eye pokes and ear bites when things get too intense and “aggressive” at times, he said, but all is fair and a good influence.
“It’s because they are Muslim so they don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t go out,” Walker said. “They are kind of psychopaths. On top of that, they’re very disciplined. They might be exhausted, but they’ll still train. And I got that discipline from them. Im at the gym all the time. You’re the result of those you have around you. I’m here for five years now and those around me put me on the right path. Brotherhood is the key.”
Walker’s UFC debut was a disappointing showing for a man that won 11 in a row with seven finishes, losing a lackluster decision to Lukasz Brzeski. He celebrates that as a “necessary loss” that woke him back up, losing 22 pounds and improving his cardio to rebound in great fashion last August with a quick submission over Junior Tafa.
Walker returns to action Saturday, battling Don’Tale Mayes at UFC Vegas 102, and promises he won’t shoot for takedowns in the first three minutes of each round in Las Vegas — if Mayes lasts that long.
“He’s definitely expecting me to shoot for takedowns,” Walker said. “Everybody starts training takedown defense when they’re fighting me.”
A win Saturday represents one step closer to the top of the division and money in the pocket, an important part of the game for a man that is planning to grow the family.
“People think life is easy in Russia,” Walker laughed. “I have a lot of bills to pay. I have to win a bonus, because I’ll make another baby and I want to pay the car off I bought after the last fight.”
“As for booze, brother, only after the win,” he added. “I’ll celebrate after the fight with a bit of alcohol and party, and that’s it, back to the gym I go. I’ve been doing that for five years and I plan on doing it for another five years to go after the big prize, to become champion, and then it’s back to craziness. Once I’m retired, it’s over. Back to craziness. Money and stories to tell, can’t miss that.”
