Did Johnny Walker Get Arrested in China? All You Need to Know About UFC Shanghai Headliner’s Whereabouts
The UFC returned to China with UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang, and for Johnny Walker, the night was nearly perfect. He made weight, scored a TKO over Mingyang Zhang, and snapped a two-year winless run. But just as the celebration began, rumors exploded online that Walker had been arrested in China. Let’s dig into what actually happened.
Johnny Walker Arrest Rumors Explained
After Walker’s victory in the main event, a viral post suggested he had been taken into custody. The claim originated from fellow Brazilian Renato Moicano and his “Show Me the Money” podcast, which shared an Instagram post declaring Walker had been “arrested in China and unable to leave.” Many fans took the bait, believing the bizarre story was true.
The light heavyweight quickly cleared the air himself, posting an Instagram story alongside his brother to prove he was safe and enjoying his win. The entire “arrest” narrative was nothing more than Moicano’s attempt at satirical humor, which isn’t unusual for his podcast.
Walker’s History of Controversies in the UFC
While the arrest rumor was false, Walker isn’t a stranger to unusual headlines. After his win against Ion Cuțelaba at UFC 279, he and his team were unexpectedly escorted out of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas while still wearing fight gear. His coach at the time, John Kavanagh, who also trains Conor McGregor, openly criticized the move, though Dana White later said it was linked to COVID protocols.
Despite quirky incidents like that, Walker has kept a clean slate. He has no criminal or civil charges, setting him apart from fighters like Jon Jones, whose outside-the-cage troubles often overshadow their achievements.
The Truth About Johnny Walker’s Status
The arrest talk after UFC Shanghai was pure fiction. Walker remains one of the division’s most unpredictable yet dangerous fighters, and his TKO over Zhang proves he’s back in the mix at 205 pounds. While Moicano’s prank caused a stir, fans can rest assured—Johnny Walker isn’t in legal trouble and is already eyeing his next challenge.
