When the UFC touches down in Brazil, there’s at all times electricity within the air. The promotion has built a protracted history with Rio de Janeiro as one among its premier international destinations, and on October eleventh, Brazilian fans will once more get the possibility to showcase their passion on the game’s biggest stage. This time, the Octagon heads to UFC Rio with a lineup already stacked with talent, but one particular heavyweight matchup has fight fans buzzing: Valter Walker versus Mohammed Usman.
It’s a strikingly appropriate bout for Rio, matching Brazil’s latest heavyweight prospect against a dangerous contender with championship lineage. Each men bring contrasting styles, compelling narratives, and loads to prove. In some ways, their collision reflects the UFC’s long history of constructing the division through international talent.
A Battle of Next-Gen Heavyweights
Valter Walker is just not a household name yet to casual fans, but in Brazil and amongst hardcore observers, he’s viewed as one among the heavier division’s most promising recent forces. The younger brother of current UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker, Valter carries not only the family name but in addition lots of the same dynamic traits that made his sibling a fan favorite. Tall, athletic, and surprisingly agile for a person within the 265-pound division, he’s already shown flashes of knockout power and unorthodox striking but it surely’s his heel-hook submission game that has been taking up the heavyweight division.
Oh my god
Valter Walker sits to 5050 and rips Nzechukwu’s knee apart with an inside heel hook pic.twitter.com/HYbPfULBfW
— William – Open Note Grappling 📝 (@OpenNoteGrapple) July 13, 2025
Walker’s rise has mirrored the pathway of many Brazilian heavyweights before him—emerging first on the local circuit, then stepping as much as the international stage with a mix of confidence and unpredictability. What sets him apart, nevertheless, is his youth. At just 26 years old, he’s entering a division historically dominated by veterans well into their 30s. This implies time, ceiling, and development are on his side in a weight class that usually lacks long-term prospects.
Across from him on October eleventh will stand Mohammed Usman, a fighter whose name recognition precedes him, because of his last name. The younger brother of former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, Mohammed has been determined to carve out his own identity contained in the Octagon. Winning The Ultimate Fighter 30 gave him tangible proof that his skill set was UFC caliber, but consistency has been a challenge. Known for his raw power and resilience, Usman is the sort of heavyweight who can end a fight in seconds if an opponent makes a single error.
What makes this matchup fascinating is the clash of approaches. Walker thrives on being unpredictable, throwing leg lock attempts from various angles and leveraging athleticism rare for a heavyweight. Usman, alternatively, is built on explosiveness, durability, and fundamentals honed through grind-heavy training. It’s Brazil’s flashy recent prospect against America’s grit-fueled brawler. And given the stakes—a likelihood to climb into the highest 15 discussion—neither man can afford a misstep.
Official UFC Rio Lineup
Every UFC Brazil event carries an additional layer of spectacle, and UFC Rio is shaping as much as be no different. With former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira vs. Rafael Fiziev headlining, the cardboard itself is loaded across divisions with a balance of established contenders and homegrown stars.
Here’s the official UFC Rio fight card because it currently stands:
Fundamental card (Start time 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
- Charles Oliveira vs. Rafael Fiziev
- Vitor Petrino vs. Thomas Petersen
- Julia Polastri vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
- Vicente Luque vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
- Deiveso Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson
- Gabriel Bonfim vs. Randy Brown
Prelims (Start time 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
- Valter Walker vs. Mohammad Usman
- Lucas Rocha vs. Stewart Nicoll
- Jhonata Diniz vs. Mario Pinto
- Irina Alekseeva vs. Beatriz Mesquita
- Jafel Filho vs. Clayton Carpenter
- Lucas Almeida vs. Michael Aswell
- Ricardo Ramos vs. Kaan Ofli
The bout between Walker and Usman isn’t just one other addition to a Brazilian event; it represents the UFC’s ongoing investment in cultivating recent stars throughout the heavyweight division. For too long, critics have questioned the shortage of depth amongst big men in comparison with divisions like lightweight or welterweight. By showcasing two developing talents on a serious stage, the UFC is just not only testing their readiness but in addition planting seeds for the division’s future.
For Walker, a win would validate his status as Brazil’s next heavyweight hope, placing him in a division where probably the most marketable fighters are rare and the trail to stardom might be rapid. For Usman, a victory would quiet critics who view his profession through the lens of his brother’s success. It could also display his ability to adapt, improve, and thrive under pressure.
The fight will unfold in Rio, but its implications stretch far beyond that night. Whether it launches a profession, reshuffles the rankings, or sets up greater opportunities, Walker vs. Usman is precisely the sort of matchup that makes international UFC events unforgettable.