MMA Match Preview: Julius Walker (6-1-0) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (11-2-0)

Matchup Overview

This light heavyweight clash features two powerful finishers with contrasting styles. Julius Walker (6-1-0), fighting out of Springfield, Missouri, is riding momentum after a hard-fought decision win over Alonzo Menifield. Known for his athleticism and knockout power, Walker is looking to break into the top 30 rankings. Raffael Cerqueira (11-2-0), representing Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, is a dangerous striker with 8 knockouts and 2 submissions to his name. He’s coming off a first-round KO win over Modestas Bukauskas and enters this bout ranked #39 in the world at light heavyweight.

Fighter Comparison

Attribute	Julius Walker	Raffael Cerqueira
Nickname	“Juice Box”	“The Lion”
Record	6-1-0	11-2-0
Age	26	35
Height	6’4″ (193 cm)	6’3″ (191 cm)
Reach	78″ (198 cm)	76″ (193 cm)
Stance	Orthodox	Southpaw
Gym	Team Fusion	Galpão da Luta
Nationality	United States	Brazil

Striking & Grappling Breakdown

Category	Walker	Cerqueira
Knockout Wins	4	8
Submission Wins	2	2
Significant Strikes Landed	37 of 112 (33%)	44 of 100 (44%)
Takedown Accuracy	11% (1 of 9)	0% (0 of 0)
Control Time	5:31	0:00

Walker showed strong control time and volume in his last fight, while Cerqueira relies on explosive striking and quick finishes.

Recent Fight History

Julius Walker: Defeated Alonzo Menifield via split decision (Feb 2025). Demonstrated improved cardio and cage control.

Raffael Cerqueira: Knocked out Modestas Bukauskas in Round 1 (Feb 2025). Showed elite timing and power.