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4. Johnny Walker (17-4) Vs. Nikita Krylov (25-7)
Following three consecutive first-round finishes, there was plenty of buzz surrounding light heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker. However, the hype train came to a screeching halt last November when Walker was the victim of a first-round knockout at the hands of Corey Anderson.
It's hard to know what to make of Walker since all of his UFC fights have ended in the first round. He's a big, explosive athlete who is clearly capable of putting opponents away quickly. Still, the Corey Anderson fight suggests he isn't quite ready to be thrust into the title picture.
His opponent, Nikita Krylov, is a well-rounded veteran who is coming off a split-decision loss to Glover Teixeria. While Krylov isn't a freak athlete like Walker, he has shown a far more diverse skillset. Krylov is a Master of Sports in submission fighting and should be the strong grappler.
Krylov is a savvy vet who hasn't been knocked out since his 2013 bout with Sao Palelei, so it's unlikely Walker will get a quick KO here. Moreover, if the Ukrainian can get the fight to the mat, things could get very interesting. Krylov also has shown knockout power in his own right, so Walker will need to show his striking some respect.
Still, at 6' 5" with an 82-inch reach, Walker enters the fight as the taller (by about 2 inches) man with roughly a 4 1/2 inch reach advantage. The fact that he recently switched camps and is now with Tristar Gym, Georges St-Pierre's team, should serve to hasten the 27-year-old's development.
Krylov is very much a live dog here, but Walker's physical advantages combined with his speed and explosiveness, should be enough to carry the day.
The Pick: Walker vis second-round KO.