Johnny Walker steps in to headline UFC Vegas 124 on short notice

Johnny Walker will headline UFC Vegas 124 against Waldo Cortes-Acosta on November 7 in Las Vegas. Walker accepted the fight on nine days’ notice after Sean Brady withdrew due to a severe staph infection. This match follows Walker's heavyweight debut, where he scored a first-round knockout against Mick Parkin. Originally, Walker aimed for a gradual transition into the heavyweight division, but circumstances have accelerated his trajectory. A victory could propel Walker into the heavyweight Top 10 in just his second fight in this class.

• 4:18 AMYahoo Sports — Johnny Walker wanted to take it slow at heavyweight, then UFC called