Highlights: Johnny Walker Shocks Misha Cirkunov, Injures Self Celebrating

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One of many fights to excite on tonight’s UFC 235, Johnny Walker vs. Misha Cirkunov promised to showcase the rise of a contender in the light heavyweight division.

Walker stormed into the world’s leading MMA outfit with two impressive first-round stoppages after debuting on “Dana White‘s Tuesday Night Contender Series.” Cirkunov, meanwhile, had just rebounded from a two-fight losing skid to submit Patrick Cummins in his prior fight.

Walker continued his lightning rise with another sub-minute finish in the first round. He came out with some fakes early then landed a perfect flying right knee right to Cirkunov’s chin. Some punches came after but were completely unnecessary. Referee Herb Dean called the fight in 36 seconds. Walker has finished all three of his UFC fights in a total of 2:48. Afterward, he unfortunately dislocated his shoulder celebrating with “The Worm.”

Watch the insane knee below:

But the win was clouded a bit when Walker dropped to the mat and popped his shoulder out doing “The Worm”:

https://twitter.com/MrAlexFernandez/status/1102030485507604480

Walker now has three wins by first-round finish since November. He said he wanted his fight against Cirkunov to last three rounds, but he had to end it in 36 seconds anyhow.

He’s talked about fighting seven times this year. He could be headed for surgery or at least a significant recovery time due to his injury from celebrating, however. When he does return, Walker is clearly a frightening force at 205 pounds.