UFC Vegas 38: Thiago Santos vs. Johnny Walker Main Event Picks

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a jam-packed schedule and this Saturday we are getting what should be a very entertaining light heavyweight fight between Thiago Santos and Johnny Walker. Here’s a complete preview, including updated UFC odds and our betting pick.

Thiago Santos vs. Johnny Walker

Light Heavyweight Main Event Bout

Saturday, October 02, 2021 - 11:05 PM EDT at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas

In the main event of the evening, Thiago Santos battles Johnny Walker. UFC Vegas 38 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. With plenty of betting lines and markets currently available, let’s attempt to find some value for our UFC picks on Saturday’s main event.

Thiago Santos of Brazil looks on prior to his fight against Jon Jones. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP

Thiago Santos

Introduction, Background and UFC Career

Thiago Santos is another world-class MMA fighter who has been making the waves in the UFC. Known for his knockout power, Santos came into the limelight because he was the first fighter to win a judge's scorecard against Jon Jones, who many consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Santos had an extremely difficult childhood as he suffered from an untreated disease that spawned growing cysts in his stomach. They had to be removed surgically later. Then, his family lost everything in a flood and had to relocate to Cidade de Deus, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Brazil.

Santos' started his professional career with an 8-1 record and the UFC signed him in 2013. During his 21 UFC fights he's defeated tough martial artists like Nate Marquardt, Anthony Smith, Kevin Holland, Jimi Manuwa and Jan Blachowicz. Santos moved to the light heavyweight division in 2018 and beat Eryk Anders, Jimi Manuwa and Jan Blachowicz to earn title shot against Jon Jones.

Glover Teixeira submitted him in the third round at UFC Vegas 13 on November 7th and in his last fight he lost a unanimous decision against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 259 on March 6th but these last three fights don't define his career.

Born:July 1st, 1984Age:37Country:BrazilHeight:6’2?Weight:205 lbsReach:76?Stance:OrthodoxAssociation:Team MarretaClass:Light HeavyweightRecord:21-9

Stats

Method of VictorySignificant StrikesTakedowns15 wins by KO/TKO4.27 Landed38% Accuracy1 win by Submission2.33 Absorbed66% Defended5 wins by Decision

Octagon Strengths

Black belt in Muay ThaiBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-JitsuGreen rope in Capoeira

Octagon Weaknesses

Is a hittable fighter

Corey Anderson of the United States (R) fights against Johnny Walker of Brazil during UFC 244. Steven Ryan/Getty Images/AFP

Johnny Walker

Introduction, Background and UFC Career

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just like Santos, Johnny Walker will challenge himself against a fellow Brazilian who also has a fierce amount of striking power. Walker is a native of Brazil but he chose to represent England and that's where the UFC matchmakers noticed him and invited him to compete in Dana White's Contender Series. Walker brutalized his opponents on the British regionals before walking onto the popular show and claiming his UFC contract.

Walker's UFC arrival impressed fans as he delivered three TKO finishes in his first three contracted fights. He then suffered setbacks against Corey Anderson and Nikita Krylov, dropping his Light Heavyweight ranking but he got back on track with a KO in the first round against Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 11 on September 19th, 2020.

Born:March 30th, 1992Age:29Country:BrazilHeight:6’5?Weight:205 lbsReach:82?Stance:OrthodoxAssociation:IF TeamClass:Light HeavyweightRecord:18-5

Stats

Method of VictorySignificant StrikesTakedowns15 wins by KO/TKO4.41 Landed100% Accuracy2 wins by Submission3.51 Absorbed60% Defended1 win by Decision

Octagon Strengths

Fierce amount of striking powerFour wins in the UFC, all via KO/TKO100 percent takedown accuracy

Octagon Weaknesses

Many concerns within his skillsethttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KismZQZam2E

Prediction

Johnny Walker has to throw his weapons hoping they land early and finish Thiago Santos as quickly as possible. I don't see him outworking Santos technically across five rounds. Santos owns more experience and fight-IQ, he can counter Walker's dangerous power. Santos can utilize a grappling game plan to remove the first round hype and tame Walker's wildness. Corey Anderson and Nikita Krylov gave Santos a path to victory against Walker and he is more than capable of following it. Thiago Santos might be riding a three-fight losing streak but the level of competition he's faced is incomparable. I like him to get back on track on Saturday.

UFC Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.