Johnny Walker trying to climb back into title picture at UFC 327

MIAMI – Going back nearly three years, Johnny Walker only has one win to show for his UFC efforts.

But that one win came this past August, and if he gets another one Saturday – against a former light heavyweight title challenger – he thinks it'll do wonders for his potential to be in the right place at the right time.

Walker (22-9 MMA, 8-6 UFC) takes on Dominick Reyes (15-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) on the UFC 327 (Paramount+) main card at Kaseya Center. Reyes fought for the 205-pound belt in 2020 and gave Jon Jones what many consider his toughest fight.

A win over someone Reyes' caliber on the heels of his bonus-winning knockout of Zhang Mingyang might make him all but forget his back-to-back 2024 knockout losses to eventual champion Magomed Ankalaev and former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir.

"Winning streaks are not everything," Walker told MMA Junkie at Wednesday's media day. "Khalil Rountree fought (for the title) when he was (No.) 8. I've been No. 5, and I haven't had a title shot yet."

Walker certainly paid close attention to Rountree's shot at former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC 307 in 2024. Rountree got that shot with a five-fight winning streak – about six years after Walker knocked him out in the first round.

When Rountree got that title shot, it was one not many people saw coming. So Walker's sure if he keeps winning, maybe it'll lead to a shot at the new champion, who will get his hand raised not long after Walker fights.

Ex-champ Jiri Prochazka (32-5-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and Carlos Ulberg (13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) meet for the belt vacated by Pereira to move up to heavyweight.

"I know my potential, and I believe two wins against two good guys, or three, can put me in a really good spot," Walker said.

Check out Walker's full media day interview above.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Johnny Walker trying to climb back into title picture at UFC 327