What happened: Johnny Walker stated that Alexander Volkov deserves the next opportunity to fight for the UFC heavyweight championship. Walker made the comments following his third-round knockout victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Vegas 124. Volkov was in attendance at the Meta APEX to support Walker during his headlining bout.

Why it matters: The endorsement adds to growing momentum for Volkov in the division's title picture, where former champion Daniel Cormier also backed Volkov for the next title shot. Walker has transitioned successfully into the weight class with consecutive stoppage wins, giving his divisional assessment added weight among active contenders.

What to watch: The UFC has yet to finalize the next challenger for the heavyweight title as matchmaking unfolds for early 2027. Walker will look for a ranked opponent to continue his climb in the heavyweight division.