Valter Walker has admitted he is genuinely scared ahead of an unusual grappling contest with Zion Clark. Walker, a UFC heavyweight known for his record-breaking heel hook submissions, will face Clark on February 13 at Karate Combat 59. The bout takes place before Walker’s next UFC fight and has left the Brazilian struggling with nerves.
Clark, an American athlete born without legs due to caudal regression syndrome, has competed successfully in wrestling and MMA. Walker said the matchup challenges everything he knows as a grappler. Speaking to Bloody Elbow, he explained that his game relies almost entirely on leg attacks and admitted he feels lost without that option. He said it is the first time in his career he does not know how to approach winning a match.
Walker described the pressure as overwhelming, noting it will be his first pure grappling contest and against an opponent with a completely different physical profile. Although he is scheduled to fight Marcin Tybura in the UFC on March 28, Walker said he cannot focus on that bout yet.
Despite his fears, Walker expressed deep respect for Clark and his achievements. He also offered a light-hearted prediction, suggesting he may try to control Clark’s upper body and turn him over, jokingly asking whether that could count as a submission.
