Heel hooks are few and far between in the heavyweight weight class.
But for the second fight in a row, Valter Walker used the maneuver to end a fight. At Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 251, Walker (13-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) defeated Don’Tale Mayes (11-8 MMA, 4-6 UFC) by submission 77 seconds into the fight. The heavyweight bout took place on the prelims at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The fight was pretty simplistic. Walker shot immediately for a takedown, dragged Mayes to the canvas, and then grabbed hold of a leg. The tap came shortly thereafter.
Walker, 27, is the younger brother of UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker. After he lost his UFC debut to Lukasz Brzeski by unanimous decision, Walker defeated Junior Tafa with a heel hook that nearly led to a post-fight brawl.
Mayes, 33, has now lost back-to-back fights and three of his most recent four.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 251 results include:
- Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:17
- Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
