Jamahal Hill refuses to let the disrespect from fight fans and his peers get to him.
2023 could not have started any better for Hill after he stepped into a short-notice UFC light heavyweight title opportunity and passed the test with flying colors, earning a decisive unanimous decision victory over Octagon legend Glover Teixeira. Unfortunately, ‘Sweet Dreams’ never got the opportunity to defend the strap as he suffered a ruptured Achilles in July, forcing him to vacate the 205-pound crown.
Since then, Hill has been working his way back to 100% determined to reclaim the gold he never lost.
Jamahal Hill describes gruesome injury that forced him to vacate his title 👀🚨
watch the full episode ⤵️https://t.co/4R9RPkzt9h pic.twitter.com/3XpoKyjwoR
— OverDogs Podcast | Kanpai Media (@OverDogsPodcast) January 26, 2024
During a recent appearance on the Overdogs Podcast with BKFC star ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, Hill shared his opinion on the perceived lack of respect constantly thrown his direction and how it has played a role in his overall success.
“I’m disrespected in every aspect,” Hill said. “Got me f*cked up all over the place, but it is what it is. People look at it like I’m a knockout guy, but I’m a martial artist. I’m a champion for a reason. I didn’t come in one-dimensional. I don’t think I can just go in and just punch everybody to sleep. I understand I’m gonna have to be versatile in my game and be able to win in different areas to stay where I want to be, on top of this game, but the proper respect ain’t put to my name.”
He continued, “People that don’t even mean to are sleepin’ and they don’t even know who the f*ck I am and what I’m really doing. Which is cool for me. Part of my success is the fact that people have me underestimated. They got me twisted. If you don’t know what to expect, how can you be ready? How do you prepare for it?”
One example Hill has for the lack of respect put on his name is the UFC’s coveted pound-for-pound rankings. Typically, a fighter is added to the list once they have become a champion. And then based on their performances as a champion, they are either moved up or down the list with other factors, i.e. activity, longevity, and dominance, taken into account.
Despite becoming a world champion, Hill never once broke into the P4P top 10.
“When I won the title, I can’t think of the last time someone became a champion and they were ranked outside of the pound-for-pound top 10,” Hill said. “Go look at anyone else’s one title. Sean O’Malley… I don’t care who it is. They were put in the top 10. [Alexandre] Pantoja was put in the top 10. If you win a title, you’re already top of a weight class. They never put me above 12. Jiri [Prochazka] is still on the pound-for-pound list. I was taken off which is cool, but it’s a way to gauge the respect and the perception.”
Jamahal Hill Is Not Impressed with Alex Pereira
Though his light heavyweight title reign was a brief blip on the MMA map, Jamahal Hill intends to pick up right where he left off upon his return to the Octagon later this year.
“Whoever has the belt, that’s who I’m fighting when I come back,” Hill added. “No ifs, and, or buts about it.”
Currently, the 205-pound title rests in the heavy hands of Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’ claimed the crown via a second-round KO of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295, the man Hill was waiting to fight when he was struck down with an injury.
In just seven fights with the promotion, Pereira has already claimed both the middleweight and light heavyweight championships, earning wins over Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz, and the aforementioned Jiri Prochazka. However, none of that impresses Hill who has had his fair share of fighting kickboxers like Pereira in the gym.
“He’s a very good kickboxer. He showed that he could [transition] and win, but this ain’t, but this ain’t kickboxing, bro. I’ve been dominating kickboxers since I walked into the gym. I’ve seen a lot more that what people will actually know or give me credit for. When I came into this sh*t, you were sparring pros. There weren’t any amateurs or anything like that. So I was jumping in deep with the pros from the jump.
“I started training when I was 18, but I’ve been fighting my whole life so I’ve been comfortable with violence. I’ve been comfortable with situations that are more dangerous than us knuckling up and you beating me up.”
Hill does not currently have a timetable in place for his return to the Octagon.
Watch the full podcast episode below:
