Valter Walker secures fifth straight first-round submission at UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA Fighting • 3 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 4:01 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
Valter Walker faced Thomas Petersen at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 24, 2026, achieving his fifth consecutive first-round submission victory. After an early takedown by Petersen, Walker executed a calf slicer that forced Petersen to tap out in just 92 seconds. This marked the longest current win streak in the UFC heavyweight division, as Walker improved to 5-1 in the organization. Following the fight, Walker expressed his desire to confront referee Herb Dean regarding a previous bout involving fellow Brazilian Alex Pereira. Petersen's record now stands at 3-4 in the UFC.
- •Walker submits Petersen in 92 seconds with a calf slicer.
- •This marks Walker's fifth consecutive first-round victory.
- •Walker is now 5-1 in the UFC heavyweights.
- •Petersen suffers his first submission loss in 16 fights.
- •Walker calls out referee Herb Dean post-fight.
- 4:01 PMMMA Fighting — UFC Abu Dhabi video: Valter Walker picks up 5th 1st-round leg lock submission in a row, calls out Herb Dean
- 4:01 PMYahoo Sports — UFC Abu Dhabi video: Valter Walker picks up 5th 1st-round leg lock submission in a row, calls out Herb Dean
"ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 24: Valter Walker grapples with Thomas Petersen in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena July 24, 2026 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Valter Walker didn’t get a heel hook this time, but he added another leg submission to his trophy wall. Walker faced Thomas Petersen in a heavyweight preliminary matchup at Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi event. Petersen landed an early takedown within the first minute of action, but Walker was able to transition into a heel hook. Petersen did his best to scoot away from danger, and Walker tried to catch him. Eventually, Walker grabbed the waist of Peterson and locked in a calf slicer, which led Petersen to immediately tap out. Check out video of Walker’s fifth straight first-round submission below. Valter Walker does it again at #UFCAbuDhabi! Five fights. Five leg locks. Five submission wins.pic.twitter.com/ZIIqUCEv5j — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 25, 2026 The official time of the finish was at 92 seconds. Walker is now 5-1 in the UFC after picking up his fifth consecutive victory, currently the longest win streak in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Prior to Saturday, Walker picked up opening-round heel hook submissions over Junior Tafa, Don’Tale Mayes, Kennedy Nzechukwu, and Louie Sutherland. Following the win, Walker made a strange call-out of Herb Dean, blaming the veteran referee for his fellow Brazilian Alex Pereira losing to Ciryl Gane in their interim championship fight at UFC White House. “I want Herb Dean,” Walker said in Portuguese (translation via MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz). “He screwed over our Indian [Pereira] in a cowardly way. I’m gonna get Herb Dean and do nothing but elbow the back of his head, man. F*ck, he did our Indian dirty. I’m gonna get revenge. I’ve got my eye on him.” Petersen drops to 3-4 in the UFC, flip-flopping losses and wins throughout his promotional run. He loses by submission for the first time in his 16-fight career.
"Valter Walker snatched another leg at UFC Abu Dhabi
Sources
External links- MMA FightingJul 25, 2026, 4:01 PMUFC Abu Dhabi video: Valter Walker picks up 5th 1st-round leg lock submission in a row, calls out Herb Dean
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 24: Valter Walker grapples with Thomas Petersen in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena July 24, 2026 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Valter Walker didn’t get a heel hook this time, but he added another leg submission to his trophy wall. Walker faced Thomas Petersen in a heavyweight preliminary matchup at Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi event. Petersen landed an early takedown within the first minute of action, but Walker was able to transition into a heel hook. Petersen did his best to scoot away from danger, and Walker tried to catch him. Eventually, Walker grabbed the waist of Peterson and locked in a calf slicer, which led Petersen to immediately tap out. Check out video of Walker’s fifth straight first-round submission below. Valter Walker does it again at #UFCAbuDhabi! Five fights. Five leg locks. Five submission wins.pic.twitter.com/ZIIqUCEv5j — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 25, 2026 The official time of the finish was at 92 seconds. Walker is now 5-1 in the UFC after picking up his fifth consecutive victory, currently the longest win streak in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Prior to Saturday, Walker picked up opening-round heel hook submissions over Junior Tafa, Don’Tale Mayes, Kennedy Nzechukwu, and Louie Sutherland. Following the win, Walker made a strange call-out of Herb Dean, blaming the veteran referee for his fellow Brazilian Alex Pereira losing to Ciryl Gane in their interim championship fight at UFC White House. “I want Herb Dean,” Walker said in Portuguese (translation via MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz). “He screwed over our Indian [Pereira] in a cowardly way. I’m gonna get Herb Dean and do nothing but elbow the back of his head, man. F*ck, he did our Indian dirty. I’m gonna get revenge. I’ve got my eye on him.” Petersen drops to 3-4 in the UFC, flip-flopping losses and wins throughout his promotional run. He loses by submission for the first time in his 16-fight career.
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 4:01 PMUFC Abu Dhabi video: Valter Walker picks up 5th 1st-round leg lock submission in a row, calls out Herb Dean
Valter Walker snatched another leg at UFC Abu Dhabi
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