After the last-minute cancellation of his UFC Rio bout, fast-rising Brazilian heavyweight Valter Walker has wasted no time rebooking his return. The surging prospect will face promotional newcomer Louie Sutherland at UFC 321 on October 25 on the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Walker’s matchup with Sutherland, first reported by journalist Laerte Viana, adds further depth to an already loaded event headlined by two championship fights.
Valter Walker’s Fast Turnaround
Valter Walker was originally scheduled to face Mohammed Usman at UFC Rio, however the fight fell through on the morning of the event when Usman withdrew for a failed drug test.
As a substitute of waiting for a rebooking with Usman, Walker (14-1) accepted a brand new opportunity to maintain his momentum alive. Riding a three-fight winning streak—all via heel-hook submissions—he has quickly turn out to be generally known as one of the vital dangerous grapplers within the heavyweight division. His submission run includes impressive finishes over Junior Tafa, Don’Tale Mayes, and Kennedy Nzechukwu, each coming in the primary round.
The 27-year-old Brazilian heavyweight has drawn attention not just for his dominance but additionally for his relationship to his older brother, Johnny Walker, who continues to make waves at light heavyweight. Very like Johnny’s explosive striking, Valter brings unpredictability—this time through unorthodox ground mechanics. His matchup with Sutherland will test that skill set against a fellow power-puncher seeking to make an quick impact.
Louie Sutherland’s Long-Awaited UFC Debut
Louie Sutherland (10-3) enters UFC 321 with a four-fight winning streak across multiple regional promotions, including stints with Bellator MMA, the Skilled Fighters League (PFL), and most recently, Levels Fight League, where he captured the heavyweight title. The 31-year-old English knockout artist was originally set to debut earlier this 12 months against Justin Tafa, however the fight was scrapped as a consequence of illness. Now healthy and eventually moving into the Octagon, Sutherland has a golden likelihood to shake up the division immediately.
🗣️ UFC newcomer, Louie Sutherland, shares his thoughts on his fight with Justin Tafa getting cancelled.
Louie says Tafa couldn’t make the load with about 7-8lbs left to chop and needed to be taken to the hospital. #UFCPerth
(via IG/vanilla_gorillamma) pic.twitter.com/p3IDC8lt8Y
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) September 27, 2025
Known for his heavy hands and forward pressure, Sutherland is anticipated to check Walker’s chin early and infrequently. The stylistic clash makes this bout a possible show-stealer: Walker’s submission game against Sutherland’s knockout power sets up a high-stakes contrast that would end at any moment. This fight could also function a litmus test for Walker’s readiness to affix the top-15 conversation throughout the UFC’s heavyweight ranks. For Sutherland, an upset victory in Abu Dhabi would immediately put his name on the map.
Stacked UFC 321 Card in Abu Dhabi
UFC 321 is shaping up as certainly one of the 12 months’s biggest international events, headlined by Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed heavyweight title defense against former interim champion Ciryl Gane. Aspinall, who officially inherited the undisputed belt after Jon Jones vacated his title earlier this 12 months, is seeking to solidify his spot at the highest with a win over one of the vital technically gifted strikers within the division. Gane’s speed and footwork have challenged nearly everyone he’s faced, though his takedown defense stays the important thing storyline heading into this clash.
The co-main event features one other highly anticipated title bout, as Mackenzie Dern meets Virna Jandiroba for the vacant women’s strawweight championship. The 2 previously fought in 2020, with Dern winning by unanimous decision, but Jandiroba has since gone 6-1, bolstered by her world-class grappling and improved striking. With longtime champion Zhang Weili vacating her belt to maneuver as much as flyweight, a brand new queen shall be crowned in Abu Dhabi.
Beyond the title fights, the important card also includes bouts with serious divisional implications. Umar Nurmagomedov faces Mario Bautista in a featured bantamweight matchup expected to hold title contention stakes. Alexander Volkov returns against Jailton Almeida in a heavyweight clash of styles—striking versus smothering grappling—while Aleksandar Rakić takes on Azamat Murzakanov at light heavyweight. The prelims feature a deep mixture of prospects and veterans, including Ikram Aliskerov vs. Park Jun-yong, Ludovit Klein vs. Mateusz Rębecki, and Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Chris Barnett.
Here is the confirmed fight card as of this week:
- Tom Aspinall (c) vs. Ciryl Gane – UFC Heavyweight Championship
- Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern – UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista – Bantamweight Bout
- Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida – Heavyweight Bout
- Aleksandar Rakić vs. Azamat Murzakanov – Light Heavyweight Bout
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. Park Jun-yong – Middleweight Bout
- Ľudovít Klein vs. Mateusz Rębecki – Lightweight Bout
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Matheus Camilo – Lightweight Bout
- Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Miguel Delgado – Featherweight Bout
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Chris Barnett – Heavyweight Bout
- Azat Maksum vs. Mitch Raposo – Flyweight Bout
- Jaqueline Amorim vs. Mizuki Inoue – Strawweight Bout
- Valter Walker vs. Louie Sutherland – Heavyweight Bout.
For Valter Walker, UFC 321 represents each redemption and continuity—a likelihood to maintain his momentum alive after a canceled fight derailed his immediate plans. For Louie Sutherland, it’s the long-awaited starting of a UFC journey, one which comes against a dangerous and highly touted opponent. Their matchup not only bolsters a historic card but adds one other layer of intrigue to an already loaded night in Abu Dhabi. With two title bouts, a lineup filled with contenders, and a high-stakes heavyweight showdown, UFC 321 is positioned to be one of the vital memorable events of 2025.