Alonzo Menifield candidly shared his recent homecoming after his much-needed victory: “I am in the right position”

Alonzo Menifield's victory against the 6-foot-4 promotional newcomerJulius Walker at UFC Fight Night 252 was an important comeback after being knocked out twice in 2024 by Carlos Ulberg and Azamat Murzakanov. The victory was a split decision win after an enervating 15-minute match, securing both fighters an additional $50,000 for Fight of the Night at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

Menifield, after returning to Texas, decided to rejoin Fortis MMA under head coach Sayif Saud, after having trained previously at Colorado under coach Pat Barry. Menifield admitted that the homecoming accounted for a higher credit considering the familiar environment and the support that he had received all throughout.
“Being back in Texas, family all around – gym and my own family – it just felt right to take this on short notice,” Menifield said at his post-fight news conference. “I’m in the right position. I just kept getting signs. God was telling me, and I’m like, This is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Menifield was scheduled to fight Oumar Sy in London next month, but he pulled out and instead stepped in to face Walker on short notice. The match presented unique challenges for Menifield (16-5-1 MMA, 9-5-1 UFC) of Walker’s (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) height and reach. The guidance from his team, including fellow UFC fighter Ryan Spann, helped Menifield stay calm and prevented him from getting too overhyped while facing someone who had three times fewer trips to the big cage. The strategy to pace himself down and fight at 80 mph instead of going all out at 100 mph proved beneficial. Spann’s assistance was particularly useful while dealing with Walker’s clinch game, as Menifield recalled thinking, "Ryan’s a lot heavier" which helped him manage the grappling exchanges.
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The match ended with a nasty toe injury for Menifield, which shall require attention. The bonus money of $50,000 should help ease the pain though. Moving forward, this win shall provide Menifield the much-needed boost to regain his position in the light heavyweight division.