Sean O’Malley’s head coach, Tim Welch, questioned whether Jamahal Hill took the time to fully recover from his ruptured Achilles injury.
In January 2023, Hill made his dreams come true by defeating Glover Teixeira to claim the vacant UFC light heavyweight title. Unfortunately, ‘Sweet Dreams’ couldn’t defend his throne after suffering a ruptured Achilles seven months later during a pickup basketball game held for the UFC 290 fight week.
On April 13, Hill looks to reclaim the world title he vacated when he meets 205-pound king Alex Pereira in the UFC 300 main event. The 32-year-old American is ready to silence the doubters and dethrone Pereira, but Tim Welch believes he could face added adversity due to his previous injury.
During a video posted on his YouTube channel, Welch had this to say about Hill’s Achilles recovery:
“The problem is [Hill] tore his Achilles clean off, just like I did, last July, which is nine months ago. My surgeon told me I’m not going to be close to 100% until twelve months. He’s at nine months. My surgeon said you’re not going to be able to run for a full year. They say these Achilles tears are worse than ACLs, so I’m really curious with Jamahal Hill, how much rehab and how well he rehabbed this Achilles…I’m only about nineteen weeks out from my surgery and this puppy is still tight.”
Welch continued:
“Is it his left foot or his right foot? All the power from your punch, if you’re right-handed and you’re standing orthodox, all the power from that punch is coming from you driving off the ball of your foot and turning your hips over. All the powers coming from the ground and you being able to drive off the ball of your foot. My [physical therapist] clearly said this is what you have to be careful about. You can not drive off the ball of your foot really hard or you’ll blow that thing again. So, I’m curious.”
Tim Welch explains why Jamahal Hill can capitalize on Alex Pereira’s lack of head movement
Alex Pereira has established himself as one of the most dangerous MMA strikers on the planet. With that said, several fight analysts, including Tim Welch, have pointed out one flaw Pereira’s opponents can attempt to capitalize on. Welch had this to say during the previously mentioned breakdown video on his YouTube channel:
“Jamahal Hill cracks people with his right hand. He really likes his right hand. From the southpaw position, he throws a really good right hook. Orthodox, he throws a really good strong overhand. I know that Jamahal Hill is probably looking at Alex Pereira with his head dead center all the time. Alex Pereira’s hands are by his armpits. He’s more of a kickboxer. Kickboxers and Muay Thai guys, they don’t really move their head much like boxers. They’ll stand there.”
Jamahal Hill deserves respect heading into UFC 300, but it’ll be easier said than done to defeat Alex Pereira. Since making his promotional debut in November 2021, ‘Poatan’ has established a 6-1 record, including four wins by KO/TKO, to secure separate title reigns at middleweight and light heavyweight.
Watch Welch’s YouTube video about Hill below:
