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Valter Walker not scared of ‘small’ Josh Hokit, unimpressed by Gable Steveson’s UFC debut: ‘I’ll take all of them’

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9 hours ago

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Valter Walker not scared of ‘small’ Josh Hokit, unimpressed by Gable Steveson’s UFC debut: ‘I’ll take all of them’

Valter Walker isn't sold on Josh Hokit and Gable Steveson as big threats in the UFC heavyweight division.

The Brazilian talent returns to the cage Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi, battling Thomas Petersen after scoring four straight heel hook finishes in the octagon, and told MMA Fighting he would be gladly take on either Hokit or Steveson next with a win in the U.A.E.

“I don't think he's a tough fight for me,†Walker said of Hokit. “Honestly, I don't think he's the fighter people are making him out to be. Come on, he's small. I'm not intimidated by that guy at all. Gable Steveson, Josh Hokit. People say, ‘He's a monster, an Olympic wrestling champion.' Man, I watched Gable's debut, and I wasn't that impressed. I didn't get all the hype.â€

“Same with Josh Hokit,†he continued. “Fight fans don't really understand fighting, you know? He beat Curtis Blaydes, I think that's the biggest win of his career. He beat him convincingly, sure. But I still don't know how Curtis Blaydes lost to him like that.â€

Hokit is unbeaten in the sport, and 4-0 in the UFC, with the last two victories coming against Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis, while Steveson stopped Elisha Ellison in his octagon debut to improve to 4-0 as a pro.

“I'm not scared of Josh Hokit or Gable Steveson one bit,†Walker said. “If that's the next fight, bring it on. It can be Gable Steveson, Josh Hokit, Vitor Petrino. I'll take all of them. If I win this Saturday, book me against any of those guys next. I'll go right after them.â€

“I think if the two of us [Hokit and I] fought, it would have huge potential. We're talking co-main event or even main event, because of all the trash we'd talk to each other. We'd probably need security following us around. I really believe we have the potential to put on a great show for the fans.â€

Walker said he's unsure if Hokit would be willing to facing him next given his past wins over top-ranked Blaydes and Lewis during his absence to heal from a broken leg, but would be “a huge opportunity†for him.

The same goes for Steveson, who is surrounded by a hype for his past accomplishments in wrestling and the fact that he's coached by former UFC two division champion Jon Jones.

“That's how you catch a big fish, man,†Walker said of Steveson. “You go after guys with big egos, you know? That's usually how it works. I've seen it happen a lot. A guy says, ‘I'll beat that guy.' I'll use examples from my own experience. [Tallison Teixeira] used to say, ‘If I'm well prepared, I'll beat Pavlovich.' And what happened? My brother used to say, ‘I'm going to be the guy who beats Jon Jones.' I'm just using examples from my own reality, from what I've seen. Maybe Gable is thinking the same thing. ‘I'll beat this guy easily. He thinks he's going to get to my legs? I'll take him out.' That's the moment for me to make a name for myself. That's how the business works, right?â€

“Can you imagine? I beat [Steveson], climb on the cage, and spit in Jon Jones' face. Damn! People holding Jon Jones back while I'm screaming that I'm the GOAT and telling Jon Jones to go f*ck himself. All the hype would come my way. It's an opportunity. But I don't know if the guy's… Maybe he has a good manager. I know I have a good manager. But does he have one too? He probably does. If he doesn't, even better, that gives me an opportunity.â€

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MMA

Boxer who fought for WBC womens featherweight title killed in Texas

Published

5 minutes ago

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July 21, 2026

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Boxer who fought for WBC women's featherweight title killed in Texas
An American boxer, who challenged for the World Boxing Council
women's featherweight title in June, died Saturday morning after
being hit by a motorist in Texas.

Hannah Rapp, 26, was on her bicycle when she was struck by the
vehicle. Investigators have reportedly arrested a 31-year-old man
identified as Charles Medina in connection with her death.

What police say about Hannah Rapp’s death and the manslaughter
charge

According to the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, the incident
occurred on Saturday, July 18, in the morning when Rapp was riding
along a highway. Authorities allege that a vehicle passed her
before suddenly stopping, reversing and striking her. She was
transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Brazos deputies said they charged Medina with manslaughter. Under
Texas law, manslaughter is defined as recklessly causing another
person’s death. The sheriff's office has not provided additional
details, stating that the case is under active investigation.

“The loss of Hannah Rapp leaves us heartbroken,” WBC president
Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement (via ESPN). “She was an exceptional boxer, but above
all, an invaluable member of our boxing family.â€

A native of Yorktown, Indiana, Rapp started as a track athlete at
Purdue before transitioning to boxing. She turned pro in 2024 while
maintaining a job as a fire and life safety inspector at Texas
A&M.

Rapp had registered eight victories and drawn once during her nine
pro career bouts before she challenged Tiara Brown of Fort Myers,
Florida, for the latter's world title belt. She lost that bout, but
Brown later called Rapp “the best dance partner I have ever faced
as a pro.”

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MMA

UFC broadcast partner shades former champs, World Cup final with a single social media post

Published

2 hours ago

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July 21, 2026

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UFC broadcast partner shades former champs, World Cup final with a single social media post
Paramount+ poked fun at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final by comparing
it to one of the most lackluster title fights in the history of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Finalists Spain and Argentina were scoreless through regulation in
the 2026 FIFA World Cup final before the European champions secured
a 1-0 victory in extra time. Spain controlled much of the
possession, while Argentina remained on the back foot, barely
threatening offensively. Paramount has now compared the fixture to
the UFC
274 strawweight title rematch between Rose
Namajunas and Carla
Esparza.

UFC on Paramount+ compared Spain vs. Argentina to the infamous
UFC 274 title fight between Rose Namajunas, Carla Esparza

Many felt the FIFA World Cup final wasn't an enjoyable game and
Paramount+ has drawn a comparison to its MMA equivalent. Alongside
a promotional image for the Namajunas-Esparza rematch, the UFC on
Paramount+ account posted on X:

“This World Cup final so far.”

Namajunas vs. Esparza 2 is remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Both fighters had low striking volume, remaining extremely cautious
throughout the 25-minute bout, which Esparza ultimately won via
split decision. The slow pace of the bout is what Paramount's X
post is seemingly comparing to Spain vs. Argentina.

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MMA

Austin Bashi reveals facial fractures following UFC OKC loss

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 21, 2026

By

Austin Bashi reveals facial fractures following UFC OKC loss
One of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship athletes who competed on

UFC Oklahoma City sustained quite a bit of facial damage.

Austin
Bashi has revealed he sustained multiple facial fractures
during his unanimous decision loss to Jose
Delgado at the recent Fight Night event.

Austin Bashi's UFC Oklahoma City injuries revealed

Delgado landed a right hand in the opening round and Bashi’s right
eye gradually swelled shut over the remainder of their three-round
bout. Despite the damage and limited vision, the 24-year-old
completed all three rounds.

Following the fight, Bashi disclosed on Instagram that medical
evaluations confirmed minor fractures to both his orbital bone and
nose.

“All glory to GOD! A little fracture in the nose, a little fracture
in the orbital but we live to fight another day,†Bashi wrote on
Instagram along with a photo of his injuries. “Thank you so much to
all my family, fans, and team for all the love and support, love
and appreciate you all! Time to rest a little bit and get straight
back to work, I love this game and I love what I do I'll be back
soon.â€

Bashi earned a UFC contract through
Dana White's Contender Series in 2024 and is now 1-2 inside the
Octagon, with his losses coming against Delgado and Christian
Rodriguez.

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