Vitor Petrino fires back at Valter Walker: ‘That guy is a clown’

Vitor Petrino has fired back at Valter Walker following the heavyweight's social media jab about his recent performance. Petrino (15-2) extended his win streak to four with a unanimous decision over Serghei Spivac on August 22, further climbing the UFC heavyweight rankings. Walker (16-1), also a top-ranked heavyweight, posted a photo from his recent bout and labeled it boring—a comment that did not sit well with Petrino.

In an interview with Sherdog, Petrino responded sharply to Walker's criticism. "That guy is a clown. Nobody respects him. I don't even want to talk about him much," Petrino said. He went on to claim that he has repeatedly requested a matchup against Walker with the UFC but the promotion has not made it happen. His coach, Cristiano Marcello, previously told Sherdog that Petrino had accepted a challenge from Walker.

Petrino used the opportunity to contrast his willingness to face top competition with Walker's alleged reluctance. "Unlike him, who has already said he's not interested in fighting the top guys, I like challenging myself," Petrino said. "I'll fight anyone in the Top 10. I love to challenge myself." The comments add fuel to a budding rivalry between the two heavyweights, though a booking between them remains uncertain. Walker is currently riding a five-fight win streak, with all five victories coming via leg-based submissions—four of them heel hooks—making him a dangerous grappling threat at heavyweight.