Preview: UFC Vegas 102 Prelims

Heavyweights

Valter Walker (12-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Don’Tale Mayes (11-7, 4-5 UFC)

ODDS: Walker (-225), Mayes (+185)

The heavyweight division continues to sort itself out. Walker wasn’t the most exciting prospect ahead of his UFC debut in 2024, but the thought was that the Brazilian could quickly move up the division. “The Clean Monster” is massive and a pure grinder, and the UFC has few heavyweight wrestlers under contract. With that backdrop, his UFC debut loss to Lukasz Brzeski was quite disappointing. Walker was able to control much of that fight with his wrestling but did little with the control, and Brzeski tagged him enough while they were on the feet to wind up winning the decision. Walker rebounded with a much better performance in submitting Junior Tafa within a round, and the hope is that he can keep up a similar form against Mayes.

Mayes is among the most frustrating fighters on the UFC roster, as he’s also a massive heavyweight but has a rare level of agility and athleticism that he has struggled to maximize. In fact, Mayes’ athletic gifts might be more of a curse than a blessing, as it allows him to get away with an inefficient kickboxing style that has rarely done enough to take over fights, save the rare knockout. Walker is hittable enough that Mayes could land one of those knockout shots for which he’s about due. However, it seems likelier that this will turn into an ugly slog, with Walker imposing his wrestling and tiring himself out in the process but also being dedicated enough to take advantage of Mayes’ lack of takedown defense. The pick is Walker via decision.

Jump To »
Hill vs. Souza
Gordon vs. Ruziboev
Estevam vs. Aguilar
Bonfim vs. Williams
Smith vs. Morales
Walker vs. Mayes
Cavalcanti vs. Avila/a>