UFC Nashville video: Valter Walker taps Kennedy Nzechukwu with 3rd straight heel hook submission
Valter Walker pulled off an unbelievable feat at UFC Nashville after he tapped out Kennedy Nzechukwu with a heel hook — the third consecutive time he’s won with that submission.
It was a rapid-fire succession of offensive moves from Walker as he immediately stormed across the cage and tried to overwhelm Nzechukwu with strikes and he nearly succeeded. Walker clipped Nzechukwu with a stiff punch that rattled the former light heavyweight but the Brazilian immediately dropped for a takedown to bring the fight into his world on the ground.
A scramble saw Walker drop down and it appeared that Nzechukwu was going to slip free but a split second later the heel hook was locked on. Walker twisted the leg and the pain on Nzechukwu’s face was undeniable as he tapped out almost immediately before he risked serious injury to his knee from the dangerous submission.
VALTER WALKER WITH THE HEEL HOOK SUBMISSION WIN AGAIN #UFCNashville is 3-for-3 so far on finishes pic.twitter.com/KpVAmq2ciz
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 12, 2025
The end came just 54 seconds into the opening round.
“I told everyone, believe on the foot lock,” Walker shouted after his win. “I do this one very good. I have more. I have three variations. Nobody believes. Let’s go believe. Let’s believe more and more and more. The UFC gives me the real confidence and I believe more.”
Since losing his octagon debut, Walker has rattled off three straight wins — all by heel hook submission — and he provided some much needed excitement with heavyweights struggling to get finishes lately.
In fact, Walker’s submission is the first finish in the heavyweight division since Waldo Cortes-Acosta knocked out Ryan Spann all the way back on March 15.