Jamahal Hill Reveals Heavyweight Plans and Names First Opponent Amid UFC Slump
Ciryl Gane may have slammed the door on Alex Pereira's dream of becoming a three-division UFC champion, but in the aftermath of the White House card, it appears that Jamahal Hill has had a rather radical shift in perspective.
Rather than viewing Pereira's knockout loss as a warning sign, the former light heavyweight champion has announced plans to make his own move to heavyweight, and he already has a target in mind.
Jamahal Hill officially ends light heavyweight chapter
Just over two years ago, Hill was celebrating the biggest achievement of his career after defeating Glover Teixeira to capture UFC gold at 205 pounds. Today, his outlook has changed drastically.
Ever since his title triumph, Hill has dropped three consecutive fights against Alex Pereira, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr., slipping out of title contention in one of the UFC's deepest divisions.
Add in a lengthy injury layoff into the mix, and the 35-year-old has spent much of the past year watching the division from the sidelines.
Now, following the recently concluded UFC Freedom 250, he has announced his plans. Rather than attempting another climb back through the light heavyweight rankings, Hill has decided it's time for a change.
Speaking on his podcast, “Sweet Dreams” confirmed that a move to heavyweight has been in the works for months.
“I'm gonna go ahead and say it now: I'm going to Heavyweight,” Hill announced. “That's the announcement. Breaking news. So, I'm officially going to say it. I'm going to heavyweight.”
According to the fighter, the transition isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. He revealed that he has already been focused on adding size and strength in preparation for competing against bigger opponents.
“It's been something I've been working on now for a few months, putting on the necessary weight and putting on the muscle and everything like that to move up.”
Having already held a title at light heavyweight, Hill believes becoming a heavyweight champion would be a bigger accomplishment than reclaiming the belt he once lost. “Wouldn't it be better if I came back and won the Heavyweight title? I think double champ is better than two-time champ. I like the way it sounds,” he quipped.
Josh Hokit emerges as Hill's preferred heavyweight debut
Hill may not have a fight booked yet, but he already knows exactly who he wants standing across from him in his heavyweight debut. That man is the 28-year-old outspoken Californian, Josh Hokit.
The former NFL player has rapidly become one of the heavyweight division's most intriguing names. His stock rose even further at UFC Freedom 250, where he stopped Derrick Lewis inside two rounds and continued his unbeaten run in professional MMA.
Furthermore, Hokit had spent recent months campaigning for a fight with ‘Poatan’ Pereira. However, Hill believes Pereira has little reason to entertain that matchup and instead sees himself as the logical next step.
“As far as Hokit goes, that's what I want. That's exactly the fight I want,” Hill said. The former champion admitted that Hokit wasn't on his radar until recently, but the heavyweight prospect's performances have quickly earned his respect.
“I didn't even really know about him before he fought Curtis Blaydes. Shoutout to him for making a name for himself.” Hill then doubled down on his interest in the matchup, saying, “100 percent, Josh Hokit is a fight I want for my heavyweight debut. Why not? Former UFC champion, come on. Come get some.”
Despite coming off three losses (2 KOs & U-Dec). Hill appears to be taking the opposite approach. In fact, rather than easing into things at heavyweight, he wants to test himself immediately against one of the division's fastest-rising contenders.
