Jamahal Hill is catching a few strays on his move up to heavyweight.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion is in the process of changing divisions, with plans to become a contender again in the heaviest weight class in MMA. Hill won a vacant title in UFC 283 with a win over Glover Teixeira, but later vacated it due to injury and failed to regain it when he challenged Teixeira’s protege Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 300. The 35-year-old is yet to have his hand raised since beating Teixeira in January
2023.
Hill’s name came up during a discussion of the state of heavyweight on an episode of Deep Waters, when retired UFC stars Chris Weidman and Dustin Poirier were joking about the division’s lack of depth.
“I lied, I said 17 [heavyweights are on the UFC roster],” Weidman said. “There might be 30.”
Poirier quickly chimed in, “And Jamahal Hill counts as two of them.”
“Oh shit,” Weidman said, laughing. “I see Jamahal too much, he’s going to come at me. Saying he looks pregnant or something like that. … I love Jamahal. He makes fun of himself, so it’s OK.”
As cold as Poirier and Weidman’s jokes were, they’re correct about Hill having a sense of humor about his heavyweight transformation. Hill has regularly posted videos to social media poking fun at his new physique.
The conversation then moved on to who Hill should fight in his UFC debut, with Derrick Lewis being suggested as a good matchup, and UFC analyst Din Thomas favoring Hill over “The Black Beast.”
“I think Jamahal beats him up on the feet,” Thomas said.
Poirier then suggested Ryan Spann, currently No. 15 at heavyweight in the UFC’s Meta rankings, but Weidman thinks there’s an even better name for Hill if he has championship aspirations: Josh Hokit.
Hill has said on his YouTube channel he’d like to fight Hokit, one of the most talked-about fighters on the roster due to his impressive in-cage performances and outlandish and offensive comments. Should Hill get past Hokit, it could fast track him to a title shot.
“He’s in there to try to win one fight and fight for the title,” Weidman said. “I think that’s why he wants to go up to heavyweight. I think he thinks it’s the easier way.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they make that because it’s actually great on paper for Hokit,” Weidman added. “Hokit would probably have no problem, [Hill] is a former champion. Why not? It’s easier on paper than [Sergei] Pavlovich and some of these other guys in the top 5 for Hokit, so he’d do it. And then if Jamahal Hill goes into that fight, he wins, he’s fighting for the title pretty quick.”
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VIDEO STEW
Mike Heck chats with UFC Belgrade headliner Daniel Rodriguez.
Dakota Ditcheva fight week vlog.
Paddy Pimblett UFC 329 recap.
Israel Adesanya touts Navajo Stirling’s championship potential ahead of pivotal Jan Blachowicz fight.
UFC Belgrade media day.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
No Bets Barred. Jed Meshew goes solo this week breaking down the best bets for UFC Belgrade, including an intriguing top 2 fights and the hidden gems on the undercard.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Congrats!
Who’s next?
Random, but accurate.
That seems excessive.
Ouch!
Chill, DC!
Apropos of nothing.
FEED ME MORE
O Arman, where art though?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Looking ahead to the weekend, I don’t want to pile on to those criticizing UFC Belgrade—the first-ever UFC event in Serbia!—but wow, I have no idea who thought this lineup needed to be 14 fights. Sheesh.
Also:
EXIT POLL
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