Johnny Walker may have been triumphant over Anthony Smith earlier this month at UFC Charlotte but Walker himself was left with mixed feelings despite tying his longest winning streak under the UFC. Though he is pleased with this achievement, Walker commented “If that was the toughest guy [I’ve ever fought], that shows I’m evolving, because he didn’t put me in any risk during the fight.” Smith was the highest-ranked opponent that Walker has beaten so far, shooting the Brazilian into the top 5 of the UFC’s official rankings. However, Dana White, UFC president, appeared unimpressed with Walker’s performance at the event’s post-fight press conference: “he was put in the co-main event to kind of shine tonight” but “didn’t really wow anybody tonight.”

The Brazilian fighter said he did not push forward with the strategy to knock out Smith because he wanted to gauge where his opponent was at. “I’m happy I didn’t finish him and used those three rounds to absorb strikes and see where I’m at,” he said. “I know I could’ve finished him, but I’m also happy I didn’t because I had the experience. Fifteen minutes of fighting with the fifth-ranked fighter is great experience.” Walker went on to express that the matchup between him and Smith would not have lasted 25 minutes, had this been the original main event before Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Jailton Almeida landed in the headlining spot.

Overall, Walker was satisfied with his performance as it showed him his level of understanding and that there is still room for him to continue to grow as a fighter. He expressed that he knows his potential and can do more, stating, “I saw that my level is much higher when compared to his.”