No. 13-ranked UFC heavyweight contender Valter Walker will defend his position in the division as he takes on Thomas Petersen at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday inside the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, UAE.
As the ranked contender, Walker heads into the showdown as the betting favorite with -200 UFC odds. On the other hand, Petersen is going to be the betting underdog with +165 odds.
UFC Abu Dhabi: Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen Fight Odds
- Valter Walker: -200
- Thomas Petersen: +165
UFC Abu Dhabi: Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen: Tale of the Tape
| Valter Walker | Thomas Petersen | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 28 | 31 |
| Height | 6’6” | 6’1” |
| Reach | 78.5 inches | 74 inches |
| Leg Reach | 44 inches | 40 inches |
| Record | 15-1 | 11-4 |
| Fighting Style | MMA | Boxer |
| Finishing Rate | 73% | 82% |
UFC Abu Dhabi: Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen: Prediction
With his incredibly sleek and quick submission transitions, I predict a submission win for Walker over Petersen. Walker’s favorite technique is the heel hook, and he’s currently riding a four-fight win streak with heel hook as the method of victory.
Walker’s ability to snag a leg out of his opponents from the mount is something special, and he only needs one mistake from a scramble to force a tap out of his opponents. He presses his opponents against the cage before shooting for a takedown.
The edge in height, reach, and leg reach will also be crucial for Walker to avoid the power punches of Petersen, who has a solid boxing background. Once Walker gets a hold of Petersen, I believe he’ll instantly take him down.
Valter Walker’s Recent Fight Results
Walker was the former MMA Series and Titan FC champion before the UFC signed him in 2024. In his five octagon appearances, he recorded four wins (Junior Tafa, Don’Tale Mayes, Kennedy Nzechukwu, and Louie Sutherland) and one loss (Lukasz Brzeski).
Thomas Petersen’s Recent Fight Results
Petersen’s route to the UFC was via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023. In his last five bouts in the promotion, he scored wins over Mohammed Usman, Mayes, and Guilherme Pat, and absorbed losses to Shamil Gasanov and Vitor Petrino.
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