This week we return to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Another action-packed card, and the main event will see two exciting athletes look to make a statement in the light heavyweight division.
Sweet dreams
The light heavyweight division is one of the most competitive in the UFC, and two exciting ranked fighters look to shake up the rankings, as no.10 ranked Johnny Walker faces no.12 ranked Jamahal ‘Sweet Dreams’ Hill.
Winning 10 of his last 13, his last win came in 2020, when he secured a first-round knockout against Ryan Spann. Walker has established himself as a finisher, securing 17 finishes in 18 career victories, 15 coming in the first round. The Brazilian trains out of SBG Ireland and holds a brown belt in BJJ. Prior to UFC, Walker was a fully qualified engineer.
The last appearance in the Octagon for Jamahal Hill lasted 0:48 seconds, which is how long it took him to knock out Jimmy Crute. Sweet Dreams was given his nickname after his first amateur fight, when he knocked his opponent out in 42 seconds. Hill was originally supposed to play basketball at college but watching Anderson Silva fight Forest Griffin inspired him to take up MMA.
Night Wolf
Two contrasting middleweights clash as submission specialist Kyle Daukaus takes on knockout finisher Jamie ‘The Night Wolf’ Pickett.
Holding a 10-2 record, Daukaus will be looking to push for a ranked status. The Philadelphian earned his UFC contract through winning on Dana White’s Contender Series, when he impressed, securing a unanimous decision victory. He holds a black belt in BJJ and a purple belt under Duane Ludwig in Bang Muay Thai.
Pickett has won his last two bouts by unanimous decision, including one last month, which saw him defeat Joseph Holmes in Vegas. The Night Wolf began training in 2009 and has accrued a record of 13-6, with nine of those wins coming via knockout. Before taking up MMA full time, Pickett worked as a truck driver.
In-form bantamweights clash
Two women’s bantamweights carrying momentum from wins will face off in this week’s prelims as Jessica-Rose Clark faces Stephanie Egger.
Clark has won five of her last seven and this will be her fourth UFC fight at bantamweight, going 2-1 in her first three. The Australian has secured five finishes in her 11 career victories. Clark discovered her love for MMA when she used kickboxing to help cut weight when powerlifting and never looked back.
Egger secured her first UFC win back in October, when she defeated Shanna Young by second-round knockout. The Swiss athlete started training in Judo when she was only five, and holds a black belt in the discipline. Egger holds a psychology degree but still works in her family’s restaurant, which she balances alongside her training.