Palhares On Walker: Future UFC Champion

Rousimar Palhares believes Valter Walker is destined to win a UFC title based on the heavyweight's devastating leg lock attack.

Walker has torn through five consecutive opponents with first-round leg-based submissions, including four heel hooks and one calf slicer. The run has earned him the nickname "The Heavyweight Toquinho" in Brazil, a reference to Palhares himself, whose submission system Walker has openly studied and replicated.

Why Palhares Sees Walker Reaching the Top

Palhares told Sherdog he finds Walker's dominance particularly satisfying given his own controversial UFC exit. "It's very rewarding to see him doing this without anyone judging him," Palhares said. "I'm sure he'll become champion because the opponents in the division don't know how to defend it."

The former UFC middleweight compiled 16 submission wins across 19 victories before retiring in 2024. His own UFC run ended in 2013 when the promotion cut him after he held a heel hook too long against Mike Pierce despite multiple tap signals. He later competed for World Series of Fighting and finished his career on regional cards in Russia, Poland and Italy.

Walker faces his next test at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event later this year.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Valter Walker's biggest believer? Rousimar Palhares sees a future UFC champion