Valter Walker avows that Sergei Pavlovich would ‘run right through’ Alex Pereira

Valter Walker, a UFC heavyweight ranked outside the top 10, offered a blunt assessment of a potential matchup between Sergei Pavlovich and former two-division champion Alex Pereira during an interview with Brazilian journalist Laerte Viana on Thursday.

Walker, who trains occasionally with Pavlovich, expressed confidence that his teammate would decisively defeat Pereira if the UFC matched the third- and fourth-ranked heavyweights against each other. "Sergei is a heavyweight built like a tank," Walker said. "In my opinion, Pavlovich would run right through him. That's exactly what he does here in the gym, and what he did to 'Xicao' [Tallison Teixeira]. I don't think 'Poatan' has the frame to stop him."

Walker highlighted that Pavlovich has recently upgraded his training camp and is now working with a structured team, a significant improvement from his previous setup. Walker noted that the heavyweight division remains in flux with champion Tom Aspinall sidelined and no confirmed return date, leaving the title picture uncertain.

Walker also addressed his own career trajectory, acknowledging he is not yet ready to challenge the division's elite. "For example, I don't think I'm ready to fight anyone in the top five yet," he said. "The level is different. I train with a top-three heavyweight, so I know exactly what his level is." His candid remarks underscore the significant talent gap he perceives within the heavyweight ranks as the UFC continues to work toward its next title bout.