MMA Preview – Johnny Walker vs Jamahal Hill at UFC Fight Night 201
JOHNNY WALKER VS JAMAHAL HILL FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 201? Saturday 19th February, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 201? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 201? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Fight Night 201 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 201? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
JOHNNY WALKER VS JAMAHAL HILL LOWDOWN
Johnny Walker (18-6) gets bumped to his second UFC main event after Rafael dos Anjos vs Rafael Fiziev got postponed to UFC 272. He needs to get a run going. After pulling off three spectacular knockouts in his first three UFC fights, some people thought he could challenge Jon Jones. Four fights later, he is 1-3 suffering a TKO to Corey Anderson (2019) and unanimous decision to Nikita Krylov (2020). He brought out another vintage knockout out the bag against Ryan Spann (2020) but lost to another beast in the shape of Thiago Santos (2021) who earnt a unanimous decision.
Jamahal Hill (9-1(1)) has stolen some of Walker’s hype after some impressive performances of his own. After a unanimous decision on debut against Darko Stosic, he knocked out Klidson Abreu (later overturned to a ‘no contest’ after popping for marijuana) and Ovince Saint Preux (both 2020). He then got his elbow dislocated by Paul Craig (2021) who eventually finished him via TKO but Hill bounced back with his most impressive win – starching fellow prospect Jimmy Crute (2021) in under a minute.
JOHNNY WALKER VS JAMAHAL HILL PREDICTION
These two exciting knockout artists are more than worthy of gracing a main event slot. Walker boasts three inches in reach and two in height as well as an important edge when it comes to experience.
The frustrating thing for Walker is the time it is taking to fix the holes in his game. He is one of the most electrifying strikers on the roster but gets hit way too easily. Even in his knockout over Spann, he nearly got put to sleep. That said, he looked a lot more composed and better coached against the former title challenger Santos in his last fight.
Hill will want to bring the reckless Walker back out. He carries the same knockout threat but fights more technically and compact. He will begin by throwing out his long jab from his southpaw stance and attack the body and head with kicks and punches.
As soon as Walker opens himself up and gets aggressive, he is just as likely to get knocked out than find one himself. We expect the team at SGB in Ireland to incorporate another more patient game plan and we may even see some clinch work as Hill is not known for his grappling.
On paper, Walker has the reach, speed, dynamism and experience and even absorbs less significant strikes per minute than Hill (2.81 to Hill’s 3.68). However, when Walker gets gets hit, he gets hit clean and Hill will only need one opportunity to put him to sleep.
We are leaning towards Hill, but we will not be surprised if a more improved Walker turns up and puts on one of his best performances, so he is the smart pick as the underdog.
Prediction: Hill via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Walker via KO/TKO
