{"id":39724,"date":"2026-08-05T07:35:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T07:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sherdog.com\/news\/news\/Valter-Walker-explains-why-Derrick-Lewis-is-his-preferred-UFC-heavyweight-opponent-202232"},"modified":"2026-08-05T07:35:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T07:35:35","slug":"valter-walker-explains-why-derrick-lewis-is-his-preferred-ufc-heavyweight-opponent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.martialartskleinanzeigen.com\/videos\/valter-walker-explains-why-derrick-lewis-is-his-preferred-ufc-heavyweight-opponent\/","title":{"rendered":"Valter Walker explains why Derrick Lewis is his preferred UFC heavyweight opponent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Valter
\nWalker<\/a> has two names in mind for his next
\nUltimate Fighting Championship<\/a> heavyweight bout.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian submission specialist is hoping to return to action
\nlater this year and is eyeing former title challenger Derrick
\nLewis<\/a> and unbeaten rising contender Josh Hokit<\/a>
\nas potential opponents, but prefers one over the other.<\/p>\n

\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Valter Walker wants Derrick Lewis fight after five first-round
\nsubmissions<\/h2>\n

Walker, who has submitted his last five opponents in the first
\nround, is looking to return to the Octagon in October or November.
\nIn a recent interview, \u201cThe Foot Hunter\u201d revealed that he wants to
\nfight either Lewis or Hokit next.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want Derrick Lewis or Josh Hokit,\u201d Walker told MMA Junkie. \u201cI’ll
\nbe ready to fight in October or November. I have in mind these two
\nguys: Derrick Lewis or Josh Hokit. This is who I want next.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hokit and Lewis squared off at
\nUFC Freedom 250<\/a>, where the former emerged victorious.
\nNevertheless, Walker believes the latter is a bigger name and wants
\nto add the UFC knockout record-holder to his record.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I could pick, I would pick Derrick Lewis,\u201d Walker added. \u201cI
\nthink for me it’s an interesting fight. He has a big name and a
\nmore big name than Josh Hokit. I think Derrick Lewis has an
\ninteresting name in the game. I watched him when I was young. He
\nhas the record for knocking people out, and I try to make my name
\nin the game. I think this is a very interesting fight for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

While he\u2019s made his preferred matchups clear, Walker remains open
\nto accepting whatever challenge the promotion offers him next.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a soldier for the UFC,\u201d Walker concluded. \u201cWhoever the UFC
\ngives me, I\u2019m happy and I\u2019ll agree.\u201d<\/p>\n