The women’s featherweight is currently suffering from a lack of star power. Outside of the legendary Cris “Cyborg” Justino and pioneer Marloes Coenen, there really hasn’t been an outstanding name that gives weight to the draw of the division.
However, there are currently up-and-coming fighters looking to grab at that brass ring. If you head down to the training grounds in Texas, you will find a scrapper by the name of Latoya Walker who is looking to grab that brass ring and run with it.
A striker by trade, Walker has cut her teeth in combat sports by taking boxing matches and MMA bouts. In fact, as an amateur, Walker was accustomed to taking more boxing matches, as it was much easier to find opponents.
“It was so much easier finding opponents in boxing as opposed to MMA at that time,” Walker told Bleacher Report in an interview. “I wanted MMA fights, but they were harder to come by. I took those boxing matches, but was still training MMA. I was doing muay thai, grappling; boxing is just easier to stay busy.”
If you watch any of Walker’s matches, it’s no surprise that her striking is her strength. A technical power puncher, Walker does much damage when she lands one of her vicious punches, whether it’s a head or body shot.
She takes her first foray into the “big leagues” come April 24, as she takes her first fight with Invicta FC. Her time previous to this bout was spent on the regional circuit, where she has developed a great reputation as a fighter and an unblemished 4-0 record as a pro.
Sometimes, fighters respond negatively to the bright lights. Other times, they thrive given the opportunity. For Walker, it’s all in the background of what needs to be done once the cage door closes.
“The bright lights of Invicta won’t bother me much, I am just thinking about my opponent and winning. That’s the most important thing."
Walker doesn’t get any gimme in her first fight either, as she will be matched up with UFC veteran Peggy Morgan. Morgan is a veteran who has fought at the top level, which should be an advantage when she steps in there with Walker.
Looking at the physical dimensions, it’s Morgan who seemingly has that advantage as well. While Walker is small for 145 pounds at 5’5”, Morgan is a hulking 6’1”, which comes with long arms, legs and all the trimmings.
Walker, though, isn’t concerned about that.
“I think it’s a really good matchup,” Walker asserted. “I like to work more inside on opponents. I’ve grown accustomed to fighting taller fighters, so her size won’t be a big deal to me. I think she’s going to try and apply pressure, come at me strong and stay on the feet more. It should be a striking match.”
A win over Morgan would be the most impactful victory on her resume to this point in her career. It would also continue her unbeaten streak, which would undoubtedly throw her into title contention.
But, given her size, perhaps the horizon for Walker will see her drop a weight class, as being a 5’5” featherweight cannot be the best for her dimensions. And while she thinks featherweight is still optimal for her at this moment, she is looking to the future for potential moves.
“My coaches and I have discussed moving to 135. I am comfortable coming down to 145, but I’ve definitely been considering it for the future. My goals are with Invicta right now though, fighting for the title in the near future is on my list.”
With those goals in mind and Morgan in her sights, Walker is ready to get her name out there and to have fans know who she is. She knows this sport is about being a showman and entertaining the fans, which is part of her plan as a fighter.
“I just want to go out there, put a good show on and show people what I have. I know a lot of people haven’t heard of me, but I want everyone to know that I am a force to be reckoned with.”
*Latoya would like to thank Colton Smith and his guys for the great work, Chuck Luther with Nutrition Hut, Cooper MMA and Pinnacle Training Center for providing her with an amazing training ground. She’d also like to thank Jawzz Mouthguard, Wu Gear, TNF Nutrition and all her awesome training partners and family.
