Johnny Walker annoyed fans questioned his chin ahead of UFC Vegas 124: Stop talking sh*t

There were many questions surrounding Johnny Walker ahead of his second heavyweight fight this past weekend.

Walker (24-10 MMA, 10-7 UFC), a longtime staple in the UFC's light heavyweight division, made his UFC heavyweight debut just last month with an incredible first-round knockout of Mick Parkin at UFC 332. Unexpectedly, Walker ended up fighting again just a month later, as he got called up on short notice to fight top contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in the main event of Saturday's UFC Fight Night 293. The Brazilian entered the fight as a decent-sized underdog, as many expected him to get knocked out by Cortes-Acosta, but he ended up turning the table on the oddsmakers and delivering another impressive finish to make it 2-0 for his heavyweight run.

Walker was bothered by those who criticized his ability to take a punch, and admitted that some of the comments from the fanbase did get to him.

"In reality, 99 percent of the fan base, they are amazing," Walker said at the UFC Fight Night 293 post-fight press conference. "They spread so much love. They send so much love. They're so supportive. But I don't know how 1 percent have such power when they talk sh*t. I think it's because we know that they never compete in high-performance sport. They never took a punch. They never train really hard. They have no idea what they're talking about, but they are there talking sh*t about you if you get knocked out. Do you know what I mean? This 1 percent, the negativity, have so much power. We need to fight against (them). You have to spread more love. It's good to have a statement to throw in the face, and today (I hope they) understand to stop talking sh*t, bro. You never took a punch in the face. How we're going to talk about a professional fighter? ... They never took a punch. They don't even train, and why do they want to talk about my team or any other team? Do you know what I mean? That's so annoying."

Walker was happy to shut the critics up. He's also happy with what he showed in the cage against Cortes-Acosta, although he thinks there's room for improvement in his heavyweight version.

"I finished a guy that had never been finished before," Walker said. "I know my potential. I'm very happy, but I could do better. I don't know. It's just the guy was high-level, you know? But the game plan was working. I just have to trust a little bit more, you know? A little bit more. Because I could finish him early. I just have to trust a little bit more. Train a little bit more. Next time I'll be way sharper, way better. But on short notice, you know? I'll be better next time. I'm going to finish somebody. Whoever it is, the champion, the No. 1 or 2, whatever. I'm going to finish them. I'm a finisher, bro. I finish people. I don't even know how I'm going to do it, but it's going to happen."

As far as what's next, Walker would like to give his body a break after having fought twice in a month. Still, he won't keep his phone on silent in case something enticing comes up.

"My last fight was one month ago, and I finished quick. I didn't really hurt, but in this fight I took a few punches, and I did a lot of kicks, and my foot will be sore, so give me a break," Walker said. "But I'm ready any time. If you want me to fight again next week, let's go. No problem."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Johnny Walker annoyed fans questioned his chin ahead of UFC Vegas 124: 'Stop talking sh*t'