Johnny Walker knocks out Cortes-Acosta as brother Valter predicts UFC heavyweight title in 2027

Johnny Walker knocked out Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the third round of the UFC Vegas 124 main event on Saturday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, taking the short-notice fight and delivering one of the more compelling performances of his career after absorbing early pressure from the hard-hitting Cortes-Acosta.

The victory is Johnny’s second consecutive finish at heavyweight. The former light heavyweight contender, who carries a record of 24-10 with one no-contest, made his divisional debut in October with a first-round knockout of Mick Parkin. That move upward, according to his brother Valter, was long overdue.

“I say it and I’ll say it again. My brother is going to be champion next year and will defend the title against anyone,” Valter wrote on X following the win. “My brother, the guy who made me a fighter, is f*cking awesome!!! (I told you he needed to move up to heavyweight a long time ago).”

Valter, a ranked UFC heavyweight himself with a record of 16-1, also shared a screenshot showing that a relative had turned a $5,000 wager on Johnny into $13,750.

The sibling dynamic adds an intriguing subplot to Johnny’s rise at heavyweight. Despite the mutual admiration, Johnny made clear after defeating Cortes-Acosta that a fight between the two brothers will never happen. Valter, for his part, appears content cheering from the corner — and from his social media feed.

Johnny’s trajectory over the past two fights marks a sharp contrast to a difficult run at light heavyweight, where he struggled to recapture the explosive form that once made him one of the division’s most exciting prospects. Two knockouts in two heavyweight appearances suggest the weight class suits him, and Valter’s confidence — however fraternal — is grounded in what he has watched up close.