In a recent announcement on his Youtube channel, Jamahal Hill has announced that he will be vacating his UFC Light Heavyweight championship due to injury.
In the video, a clearly upset Hill stated that he had suffered a ruptured achilles and surgery and rehab will likely see him out of action for a considerable amount of time. Stating that he was following in the footsteps of former champion, Jiri Prochazka who also had to vacate due to injury, an unfortunate event that allowed Hill to win the belt to begin with. Hill further stated that the UFC have told him that he will be granted a title shot in his comeback fight with the promotion whenever that may be.
Having won the belt vs Glover Teixeira at UFC 283, Hill had been hoping to make his first defence of the belt as he had a whole host of options at Light Heavyweight. Former champ Jiri Prochazka, Jan Blachowicz and Alex Pereira were all potential massive names for him to make his first title defence. While devastating the news Hill attempted to view the event in a positive manner stating that he “was just gonna take on the challenge” and that “I already know that I’m the real champion. I’m the true champion and I can’t wait to prove it”
We all are hoping Hill manages a speedy recovery with no complications and can be back in the octagon sooner rather than later. It remains to be seen the plans the UFC will now have for the UFC Light Heavyweight division in the meantime. Perhaps the fight between Blachowicz and Pereira at UFC 291 will now potentially have further stakes attached.
