Former UFC gentle heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is keen to earn one other crack at Alex Pereira.
Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will get his alternative to shine within the first pay-per-view occasion of the 12 months when he takes on fellow former titleholder Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311.
“We’ve been on a collision course for a while now, and now it’s our time to fulfill and see who takes that subsequent step ahead,” Hill informed WOOD TV8.
That subsequent step is probably going a shot on the UFC title. Within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie gentle heavyweight rankings, Hill holds the No. 4 spot, and Prochazka No. 3. Magomed Anklalaev sits at No. 2, they usually’re all gunning for the champ.
Hill had his likelihood towards Pereira in the principle occasion of UFC 300. For “Candy Desires,” it wasn’t the most effective of circumstances given he was getting back from a ruptured Achilles, which prompted him to vacate the title in July 2023.
“I don’t wish to make excuses, however was I one hundred pc the place I wanted to be so far as the damage goes? I imply, anyone who’s had an Achilles surgical procedure or is aware of something about Achilles surgical procedure, 9 months isn’t ultimate,” Hill mentioned. “However in the end, I took the struggle. I banked on myself and went in there able to struggle. So, what occurred, occurred.”
Hill was stopped by Pereira within the first spherical after “Poatan” related with a left hook. Instantly after the loss, Hill provided an fascinating persepective on the loss and took umbrage with Pereira’s celebration. He additionally not too long ago confronted Pereira on the UFC PI in Las Vegas, practically escalating to an impromptu struggle.
Reflecting on the sanctioned struggle towards Pereria now, Hill sees it as a lesson to be extra aggressive.
“My takeaway from that’s simply be extra gritty as a competitor,” Hill mentioned. “Individuals are out right here for his or her desires and that comes with a sure edge and perspective with it. It’s not that I didn’t know that, it’s simply that it was only a actually, actually painful reminder of that.”
Maybe most essential, Hill says he looks like his physique is in an excellent place heading into the struggle towards Prochazka, as he places his Achilles and knee accidents within the rear view.
“I’m extraordinarily hungry to get again,” Hill mentioned. “I’m feeling higher. I’m feeling nearer to the place I used to be pre any of the accidents. It’s all beginning to come again collectively, come again into type, and I’m simply excited to get again in.”
“… I’m in a great place. The bounce in my legs is coming again very, very properly, and I haven’t actually thought of my Achilles for some time now. The knee damage has not been as bothersome. I really feel like we’re in a very good place to return out and placed on an excellent efficiency.”
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