LAS VEGAS – The UFC heavyweight title picture is a bit murky at the moment.
As of now, there's a title fight booked with UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane defending his belt against Josh Hokit in the main event of UFC 334 – which goes down this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess, as Alexander Volkov is coming off a recent win over Rizvan Kuniev, Alex Pereira is set to take on top title contender Sergei Pavlovich in December, and former champion Tom Aspianall is still waiting on the wings recovering from an eye injury.
Johnny Walker, who's 2-0 since moving up to heavyweight last month, thinks Volkov should be next to take on the winner of Gane vs. Hokit. Walker (24-10 MMA, 10-7 UFC) finds the Russian
to be the most deserving contender.
"Yeah, he does, bro," Walker said when asked at the UFC Fight Night 290 post-fight press conference if Volkov deserved to be next. "He's been in the division for how long? He's probably the toughest guy on the planet. You know, it's his time now."
Walker and Volkov are teammates. Although their paths seem to be far apart, with Walker being new to the division, and Volkov being on the verge of a title shot with his 7-1 run, there could come an uncomfortable situation down the line. When asked if Walker would ever fight Volkov, the Brazilian was quick to shut down the idea.
"Not to talk about this yet," Walker said. "We need to have a conversation in private first."
As far as what's happening at the top, Walker isn't too sure who's going to leave with the heavyweight title at UFC 334. He believes both guys are capable of getting the win, and it's all going to come down to tactics.
"Ciryl Gane is a very tough guy. He has very good striking, but I'm 100 percent sure that Josh Hokit is a better wrestler," Walker said. "So whoever implements that game plan will be the winner of that fight. It's like my fight today. I have more skills than Waldo. He's a more boxer. He just wants to land the big punches. He has heavy hands, but that's it, you know? Even when he's on top of me, he couldn't do much. I was chill there and took a break. 'OK, let's take a break. You cannot punch me more.' If he punch big, I would have space to get out. ... So that's going to happen on the title shot, as well. Whoever implements the game better, you're going to be the winner."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Johnny Walker: Alexander Volkov deserves UFC heavyweight title shot
