Light Heavyweight Bout • 3 Rounds

Julius Walker vs Raffael Cerqueira

UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs Hernandez

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Youth & Cardio
-600
Favorite
Power Threat
+425
Underdog
Julius Walker vs Raffael Cerqueira - UFC Fight Night

Explore Detailed Fighter Profiles

Click on either the fighter's name or profile image for each fighter to access comprehensive UFC statistics including striking metrics, grappling data, clinch performance, complete fight history, offensive & defensive analytics, and round-by-round breakdowns.

Julius Walker
25

Julius Walker

6-1-0

🥊 Orthodox Kickboxer

Team Fusion

Age:
259 years younger
Height:
6'4"+1" taller
Reach:
78"+2" longer
Style:
OrthodoxKickboxer

Performance Metrics

Place of Birth
United States
UFC Record
0-1
Current Streak
1 loss
Longest Win Streak
6
Win Rate
85.7%
Finish Rate
100%
Avg Fight Duration
15:00
Fighting Style
Orthodox Kickboxer
Victory Methods
Win Round Distribution
Raffael Cerqueira
34

Raffael Cerqueira

11-2-0

🥊 Southpaw Striker

Brazil

Age:
34Veteran
Height:
6'3"Standard
Reach:
76"-2" shorter
Style:
SouthpawPower

Performance Metrics

Place of Birth
Brazil
UFC Record
0-2
Current Streak
2 losses
Longest Win Streak
7
Win Rate
84.6%
Finish Rate
90.9%
Avg Fight Duration
1:32
Fighting Style
Southpaw Striker
Victory Methods
Win Round Distribution

Last 5 Fights - Julius Walker

DateOpponentResultMethod
2025-02-22Alonzo MenifieldLDecision - Split (R3, 5:00)
2024-12-07Myron DennisWTKO - Ground & Pound (R1, 1:58)
2024-11-16Bevon LewisWTKO - Ground & Pound (R1, 3:30)
2024-06-01Nyle BartlingWSubmission - Triangle Choke/Arm-Bar (R2, 1:38)
2024-03-23Mike CookWTKO - Tapout to Strikes (R1, 0:46)

Last 5 Fights - Raffael Cerqueira

DateOpponentResultMethod
2025-02-22Modestas BukauskasLTKO - Combination Punches (R1, 2:12)
2024-10-26Ibo AslanLTKO - Punches (R1, 0:50)
2024-04-28Rodrigo AraújoWKO/TKO (R1, 4:58)
2024-01-27Ivonilson DiasWKO/TKO (R1, 4:18)
2023-12-07Jhonathan AzevedoWSubmission - Arm Triangle Choke (R1, 1:17)

Technical Analysis

Technical Score

48/10017/100
Julius
Julius advantage: 31.0%

Cardio Score

80/10038/100
Julius
Raffael
Julius advantage: 35.6%

Overall Rating

64/10027.5/100
Julius
Raffael
Julius advantage: 36.5%
📊 Technical Score

Calculated based on striking composite (62 vs 33) and overall technical effectiveness. Walker's superior volume and accuracy contrast with Cerqueira's raw power but limited technique.

💪 Cardio Score

Based on fight duration and sustained output. Walker's 15-minute averages show superior cardio, while Cerqueira's 1:32 average suggests limited conditioning beyond early rounds.

🎯 Overall Rating

Weighted average of technical and cardio scores. Walker's 64 vs Cerqueira's 28 reflects the significant disparity in overall MMA readiness and fight sustainability.

Striking Composite

62/10033/100
Julius
Raffael
Julius advantage: 29.0%

Grappling Composite

34/1000/100
Julius
Julius advantage: 34.0%
🥊 Striking Composite

Walker's 62 vs Cerqueira's 33 reflects volume (5.73 vs 3.28 SLpM) and defensive responsibility. Despite Cerqueira's power, his porous defense (absorbs 14.43 vs 5.80) creates major vulnerability.

🤼 Grappling Composite

Walker's 34 vs Cerqueira's 0 shows complete dominance. Walker's 100% takedown defense and occasional wrestling threats contrast with Cerqueira's minimal grappling data.

Technical Radar Comparison

Metrics Legend
SLpM: Strikes/Min
StrAcc: Strike Accuracy
StrDef: Strike Defense
TDAcc: TD Accuracy
TDDef: TD Defense
TD15: Takedowns/15min
Julius Walker
VS
Raffael Cerqueira

Detailed Statistical Comparison

Strikes Landed/Min
Advantage:Julius (+74.7%)
5.73per min3.28per min
Julius
Raffael
Difference: 2.45per min
Striking Accuracy
Advantage:Julius (+16.3%)
50%43%
Julius
Raffael
Difference: 7.00%
Striking Defense
Advantage:Raffael (+4.9%)
41%43%
Julius
Raffael
Difference: 2.00%
Strikes Absorbed/Min
Advantage:Raffael (+148.8%)
5.8per min14.43per min
Julius
Raffael
Difference: 8.63per min
Takedowns/15min
Advantage:Julius (+Infinity%)
1per 15min0per 15min
Julius
Difference: 1.00per 15min
Takedown Accuracy
Advantage:Julius (+Infinity%)
11%0%
Julius
Difference: 11.00%
Takedown Defense
Advantage:Julius (+Infinity%)
100%0%
Julius
Difference: 100.00%
Submissions/15min
0per 15min0per 15min
Julius
Raffael

🥊 Fight Analysis Breakdown

Julius Walker Key Advantages

💪Superior Cardio
100 vs 0 score

Proven 15-minute fight duration vs Cerqueira's 1:32 average - massive endurance advantage

🛡️Perfect Takedown Defense
100% TDD

Excellent defensive wrestling allows him to dictate where the fight takes place

📏Physical Advantages
Youth + Size

9 years younger, 1" taller, 2" longer reach - can control distance and pace

⚠️ Unfavorable Scenarios

💥Early Blitz

Cerqueira's explosive power in the first 4 minutes could catch Walker during entry attempts

🎯Defensive Lapses

Walker's 41% striking defense could be exposed by Cerqueira's southpaw power shots

📋 Likely Gameplan

📐Distance Control

Use jab-low kick volume to maintain range and avoid extended pocket exchanges

⏱️Pace Control

Weather early storm, then increase pace to exploit cardio advantage in later rounds

💥 Raffael Cerqueira Key Advantages

🚀Fight-Ending Power
90.9% finish rate

73% KO rate with 8 first-round finishes - devastating early power threat

🥊Southpaw Advantage
Orthodox vs Southpaw

Southpaw stance creates angles for power shots against orthodox Walker

Explosive Starts
Early finisher

Willingness to engage early creates chaos that can end fights instantly

⚠️ Unfavorable Scenarios

🏃Extended Exchanges

Fights lasting beyond 5 minutes expose major cardio deficiencies

🎯Distance Fighting

Walker's reach advantage makes it difficult to land clean power shots

📋 Likely Gameplan

Immediate Aggression

Blitz from southpaw stance, load rear hand and left round kick early

🎯All-In Mentality

Must finish fight in first 4 minutes or face increasing disadvantage

🎯 Fight Prediction Analysis

Data-driven prediction model based on statistical analysis

65%
Julius Walker Win Probability
Favorite based on cardio and technical advantages
35%
Raffael Cerqueira Win Probability
Puncher's chance with early power threat

📊Detailed Analysis Summary

🎯Key Statistical Disparities

This light heavyweight clash presents one of the most dramatic statistical disparities in recent UFC history. Walker's comprehensive advantages in cardio (80 vs 38), overall rating (64 vs 28), and technical execution (48 vs 17) create a massive gulf in fight sustainability. The most telling statistic is average fight duration: Walker's 15-minute average versus Cerqueira's 1:32 reveals a fundamental difference in fighting philosophy and conditioning approach.

💪Physical and Technical Breakdown

Walker's physical advantages compound his technical superiority. At 25 years old versus Cerqueira's 34, Walker combines youth with a 2-inch reach advantage (78" vs 76") and superior striking volume (5.73 vs 3.28 SLpM). However, the most crucial factor is his 100% takedown defense, which allows him to dictate range and pace. Cerqueira's counter-argument lies in his exceptional finishing ability (90.9% finish rate) and southpaw power, but his defensive liabilities (absorbs 14.43 vs 5.80 SApM) create significant vulnerability.

⏱️Time-Based Victory Scenarios

The fight's outcome will likely be determined by timing and fight phase dynamics. Cerqueira's window of opportunity is narrow but legitimate - his 8 first-round finishes demonstrate genuine early-fight danger. The statistical model suggests that if Cerqueira doesn't finish the fight in the first 4 minutes, his win probability drops exponentially. Walker's path to victory involves weathering the initial storm, then leveraging his superior cardio and technical skills to dominate the later phases.

🏁Final Prediction Analysis

While respecting Cerqueira's finishing ability, the statistical evidence overwhelmingly favors Walker. The 65-35 split reflects both Walker's comprehensive advantages and Cerqueira's legitimate power threat. Walker's perfect takedown defense, superior cardio, and technical precision create multiple paths to victory, while Cerqueira's success depends on a specific sequence of events occurring within a limited timeframe. The most likely outcome is Walker surviving the early blitz, then imposing his pace to secure either a decision victory or late finish.

💰 Betting Analysis: Model vs Market

Detailed value assessment in the betting market

📊Market Odds

Julius Walker-600
Implied Probability: 85.7%
Raffael Cerqueira+425
Implied Probability: 19.0%
Market Props
Fight goes to decision:+122 (45.0%)
Fight doesn't go to decision:-122 (55.0%)
Over 1.5 rounds:-150 (60.0%)
Under 1.5 rounds:+150 (40.0%)

🤖Analytical Model

Julius Walker-186
Model Probability: 65.0%
Raffael Cerqueira+186
Model Probability: 35.0%
Model Props
Fight goes to decision:+122 (45.0%)
Fight doesn't go to decision:-122 (55.0%)
Over 1.5 rounds:-150 (60.0%)
Under 1.5 rounds:+150 (40.0%)

💎Value Opportunities

⭐⭐
GOOD VALUE
Walker Moneyline (-186)

Model: 65.0% | Market: 65.0%

ALIGNED:
Fair Value
SLIGHT VALUE
Walker by Decision (+150)

Model: 40% | Market: ~40%

PROBABILITY:
40%
RISK PLAY
Cerqueira R1 KO (+233)

Model: 30% | Market: 30%

VOLATILITY:
High Risk
💡Betting Recommendations
  • Walker moneyline up to -185 - Fair value with superior fighter
  • "Fight starts Round 2" at -135 - 60% probability based on cardio advantage
  • Cerqueira R1 KO as small sprinkle - 30% chance at good odds for volatility
  • Avoid Cerqueira ML - Requires perfect execution within narrow window

🎯 Comprehensive Probabilistic Analysis

100 hypothetical fight simulation based on statistical data

Outcome Distribution - Walker

By Decision40%

Cardio advantage in later rounds

By KO/TKO15%

Late finish when Cerqueira fades

By Submission10%

Rare but possible with grappling

💥Outcome Distribution - Cerqueira

By KO/TKO30%

Primary path to victory - early finish

By Decision5%

Unlikely given cardio concerns

By Submission0%

No historical submission threat

Fight Timeline Analysis

R1
Advantage: Cerqueira
Power threat at maximum
R2
Advantage: Even
Cardio begins to tell
R3
Advantage: Walker
Cardio dominance
💥Cerqueira's Window (0-4 minutes)
  • Maximum Power: Fresh legs and explosive southpaw threat
  • Urgency Factor: Must finish early or face exponential disadvantage
  • Statistical Support: 8 first-round finishes in career
  • Tactical Approach: Immediate blitz with loaded rear hand
Walker's Progression (4+ minutes)
  • Cardio Advantage: 15-minute average vs 1:32 opponent
  • Technical Dominance: Superior volume and defensive responsibility
  • Physical Advantages: Youth, size, and reach control
  • Late Finishing: Increasing submission/TKO threat as fight progresses

🎯 Final Confidence Assessment

Confidence level and uncertainty factors

7/10

Confidence Level

High confidence due to clear statistical advantages

Supporting Factors

  • • Significant cardio advantage (80 vs 38)
  • • Superior technical skills
  • • Physical advantages (age, size, reach)
  • • Perfect takedown defense
  • • Cerqueira's defensive vulnerabilities

⚠️Risk Factors

  • • Cerqueira's early knockout power
  • • Southpaw vs Orthodox dynamics
  • • Walker's 41% striking defense
  • • Light heavyweight volatility
  • • First 4 minutes are dangerous

🏁Executive Summary

This light heavyweight bout represents a classic "styles make fights" scenario with a clear statistical favorite. Walker's comprehensive advantages in cardio (80 vs 38), technical execution (48 vs 17), and physical attributes create multiple paths to victory. The key variable is Cerqueira's early knockout threat, which provides legitimate but time-limited danger in the opening 4 minutes.

The statistical model's 65-35 split accurately reflects both Walker's overwhelming advantages and Cerqueira's puncher's chance. Walker's perfect takedown defense, superior cardio, and technical precision make him heavily favored once the fight progresses beyond the early explosive phase. Cerqueira's 90.9% finish rate and 73% KO rate provide genuine early threat, but his defensive liabilities and cardio concerns create major vulnerabilities.

Prediction: Walker weathers the early storm and imposes his superior conditioning and technical skills to secure victory, most likely by decision (40%) or late finish (25%). The confidence level of 7/10 reflects the clear statistical disparities while respecting Cerqueira's early finishing ability. Walker's moneyline at -186 represents fair value, with the "Fight starts Round 2" prop offering additional betting value.

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