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Johnny Walker details how brutal Francis Ngannou shots weeks out from UFC 327 changed his camp

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Mar 30, 2026 1:03 AM ET

Johnny Walker is moving on from hard sparring after taking a massive shot from one of the biggest punchers in MMA weeks out from his return to action.

The Brazilian light-heavyweight takes on Dominick Reyes at UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami, and has been training alongside Francis Ngannou at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. He is working towards a fight of his own on May 16 against Philipe Lins, and the pair have been getting rounds in at the famed gym.

However, Walker has explained that he took a flush uppercut on the chin from Ngannou. He is now focusing more on fitness and remaining ready with just two weeks to go until a fight that could see him re-establish himself as a serious contender at 205lb.

Johnny Walker took a massive shot from Francis Ngannou in sparring

When it comes to preparing for the power of Dominick Reyes, it appears that Johnny Walker is leaving no stone unturned. He is working out with Francis Ngannou, who is renowned as one of the hardest hitters in the history of the sport.

He told Full Mount Media that it is ‘very good’ to work with someone who has the experience and skill level of Ngannou. “To train with somebody like this who understands the game and can help you feel the punches and the weight and everything is really good,” he explained.

“I got a clean uppercut last week and he is f—ing heavy handed, bro… It’s better to mix [between big punchers and more technical fighters], but it depends if you’re in the middle of the camp. Then, you can have time to heal if you get hurt.

“But at the end of the camp, like right now I am two-and-a-half weeks out so I have to be very careful and train with guys who are more technical and more easy because all hard work is done and now it’s just timing and accuracy and keeping moving.

“You can get depleted and lose energy and you’re not capable of developing to what you’re supposed to because of the diet.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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