Former UFC mild heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is raring 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 yr 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 mild 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 probability in opposition to Pereira in the primary occasion of UFC 300. For “Candy Desires,” it wasn’t the very best of circumstances given he was coming 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 100% 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 superb,” Hill stated. “However finally, I took the battle. I banked on myself and went in there able to battle. So, what occurred, occurred.”
Hill was stopped by Pereira within the first spherical after “Poatan” linked 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 lately confronted Pereira on the UFC PI in Las Vegas, almost escalating to an impromptu battle.
Reflecting on the sanctioned battle in opposition to 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 stated. “Persons are out right here for his or her goals and that comes with a sure edge and angle 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 vital, Hill says he seems like his physique is in an amazing place heading into the battle in opposition to Prochazka, as he places his Achilles and knee accidents within the rear view.
“I’m extraordinarily hungry to get again,” Hill stated. “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 spot. 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 come back out and placed on an amazing efficiency.”
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