Tyler Durden 
Johnny
Walker says nothing compares to the feeling of winning a fight,
even though he once considered a career in chemical
engineering.
The Brazilian heavyweight left university after six months to focus
on mixed martial arts. Speaking in a
UFC Vegas 124 post-fight interview, Walker said he has no
regrets about that decision.
Johnny Walker reflects on leaving university after his
third-round win over Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 124
“Not many people in the world can do what I do,” Walker said. “I
could be a chemical engineer. I was a student for six months, then
I left university just to train. But I love being a
UFC fighter.”
The 34-year-old described the satisfaction of emerging victorious
from a difficult fight.
“When you win and the storm is gone and you can take a breath, you
think, ‘That was amazing.’ I think no other profession, no other
sport, nothing can give you this reward, this feeling. This sport
is unique and I love it.”
Walker also discussed his approach against Waldo
Cortes-Acosta, whom he stopped with strikes in the third round
of their UFC Vegas 124 main event.
“I feel like he was getting tired too. I wasn’t tired, but I was
like a dog there with him. I didn’t let him take domination. He was
punching, I was punching back. It was a proper fight,” Walker said.
“I just feel that I was finding my spot, and I feel that he was
overreaching and trying very hard to hit me. He missed very badly a
few times. He really wanted to finish quickly the fight with one
punch, and I probably felt that he would overreach and I wanted to
catch him.”
“Sometimes I [wonder] why I left
university… no other profession can give you this reward.” Johnny
Walker (@JohnnyWalker) reflects on his epic short-notice main event
victory over Waldo Cortes Acosta. #UFCVegas124 Results ➡️
https://t.co/uqTGhRzV4g https://t.co/LeCwgi8TU5— UFC News
(@UFCNews)
November 8, 2026
Read MoreNews, UFC
