The year might typically begin slowly for sports, but UFC flips that script by kicking off its pay-per-view calendar, UFC 311 with a stacked card featuring some of the promotion’s top names. Fans can look forward to thrilling matchups involving stars like Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili, and Umar Nurmagomedov. However, just days before the event, news broke that a star-fighter has pulled out of the event.
Johnny Walker has been forced to pull out of UFC 311 due to a serious injury, leaving fans disappointed just days before the event. While the Brazilian light heavyweight didn’t specify the nature of the injury, he shared his frustration on social media, expressing how much effort he put into his preparation.
Walker highlighted the importance of recovery, vowing to return stronger for his family and promising fans an exciting comeback soon. Meanwhile, there’s also uncertainty surrounding whether his opponent, Guskov, will get a new matchup for the January 18 card in Los Angeles.
🚨| Johnny Walker has announced that he is OUT of his #UFC311 fight with Bogdan Guskov on January 18th due to a “bad injury”. pic.twitter.com/YpOvjG1uVW
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) January 11, 2025
UFC meticulously plans events, selecting each fight to ensure maximum entertainment value and marketability for fans worldwide. Losing Johnny Walker, who’s known for his electrifying style, is a tough blow for the promotion, especially given how much he contributes to the excitement and buzz surrounding the card.
Finding a suitable replacement on such short notice adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation. With only a few days left, it’ll be interesting to see how UFC handles this setback and keeps the momentum going for the January 18 event.
UFC 311 Might Get Relocated Amidst WildFire
UFC aims to kick off 2025 with a bang, but Los Angeles’ wildfire crisis disrupts the plan. With the event scheduled for January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, fans are on edge, worried that the location might be in jeopardy. No official word has come through yet, but the tension is palpable.
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To keep the show going, UFC is eyeing Las Vegas as a backup. The T-Mobile Arena is available, but there’s also talk of pushing back the event entirely. Just days before UFC 311, unexpected hurdles are piling up, from fighters pulling out to potential venue changes. A smooth start to 2025 now faces significant challenges, putting both fans and the promotion on edge.
