Johnny Walker Medically Cleared After Shoulder Surgery, Targets September UFC Return

Rising light heavyweight star Johnny Walker has been cleared to compete following shoulder surgery.

The fighter’s manager, Lucas Lutkus, told ESPN that Walker is targeting a September return against a ranked opponent. Walker injured his shoulder during a post-fight celebration following a first-round TKO of Misha Cirkunov at UFC 235 on March 2.

"A top-10 fighter is what we have been talking with the UFC about," Lutkus said. "He is No. 10 [in the UFC rankings] now with [Alexander] Gustafsson and [Jimi] Manuwa retired, so it is what makes sense.

"Honestly, Johnny will take on any name offered. Be it a vet like Glover [Teixeira] or a prospect like [Dominick] Reyes or [Aleksander] Rakic, he loves every possibility of matchup.”

Walker is 3-0 in the UFC after competing on the Brazilian edition of Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. In addition to Cirkunov, the 27-year-old Brazilian has also authored first-round finishes of Justin Ledet and Khalil Rountree in the Octagon.