Anthony Smith and Johnny Walker are set to square off in a five-round main event at an upcoming UFC event scheduled on May 13.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed the news to MMA Fighting with verbal agreements in place from the athletes. MMA Ideas reported initially that the fight was underway.
Both fighters hold a place in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 205 pound, Smith being tied for No. 8 and Walker tied for No. 11.
Smith returns to action. He was initially scheduled to face Jamahal Hill on March 31st, but these plans were scrapped when Hill was pulled into the title fight against Glover Teixeira UFC . Smith actually ended up helping Hill prepare for the fight, which he won via a lopsided decision to capture the UFC light heavyweight title.
Smith is now looking to recover his career and possibly get Hill’s belt in the future when he takes on Walker. Overall, Smith is 3-1 in his past four fights with his only loss coming to Magomed Ankalaev after he suffered a broken ankle that led to a TKO finish.
Meanwhile, Walker attempts to build on a two-fight win streak of his own after he picked up wins over Paul Craig and Ion Cutelaba. Once hailed as the future of the division, Walker endured a tough 1-4 run in the UFC before righting the ship to earn back-to-back victories. He now gets the chance to return to the main event spotlight.
Smith will face Walker on May 13,, although the location of the event has yet to be determined.
Guilherme Cruz contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/10/23593485/anthony-smith-vs-johnny-walker-headlines-ufc-event-on-may-13?rand=96749
