Odd stoppage leads to rare submission win for Valter Walker at UFC 305

Not many fans had their eyes on Valter Walker and Junior Tafa's featured prelim matchup heading into UFC 305, but the fight ending may end up being a main point of conversation in the aftermath.

After getting bloodied by Tafa early in the first round, Walker shot a semi-desperate takedown and completed his single-leg attempt to gain top position. From there, Tafa was essentially a fish out of water beneath the wrestler and was on his way to losing round one before Walker latched onto a heel hook attempt with 10 seconds remaining. With a couple of rolls, referee Steve Perceval stopped the fight to the confusion of everyone in the arena other than Walker.

Tafa immediately protested the stoppage, having not physically tapped out to the submission attempt, and the UFC commentary team appeared to be just as confused. However, as Jon Anik would explain just a few minutes later, Tafa screaming out in pain to the heel hook is listed in the official rules as a verbal submission, justifying the stoppage.

After protesting the referee, Tafa approached Walker in the cage and lightly slapped him in clear frustration. The broadcast did not reveal what Tafa said to Walker despite the conversation being distinctly animated. Once the official decision was read, Tafa flipped off Walker and quickly left the cage.

The heel hook submission was just the fourth in UFC heavyweight history, allowing Walker to join an elite group. Before UFC 305, the feat had not been accomplished since Ciryl Gane tapped out Don'Tale Mayes with the same submission in 2019.

The win was the first for Walker in the UFC, who made his unsuccessful Octagon debut in April, losing to Lukasz Brzeski by decision despite being a heavy favorite. Although he owned a 12-0 record prior to his UFC debut, Walker was primarily known for being the younger brother of Johnny Walker, the No. 9 ranked UFC light heavyweight contender.

Immediately following the win, Walker used his post-fight interview to call out Tafa's older brother, Justin Tafa. Should the fight be made, it would mark the second occasion both Tafa brothers fought the same opponent in the UFC with both owning knockout wins over Parker Porter.