Jamahal Hill ‘in a great spot’ main as much as UFC 311 title contender bout vs. Jiri Prochazka

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 satisfy and see who takes that subsequent step ahead,” Hill instructed WOOD TV8.

That subsequent step is probably going a shot on the UFC title. Within the newest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light 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 towards Pereira in the primary occasion of UFC 300. For “Candy Goals,” it wasn’t the very best 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 100% the place I wanted to be so far as the harm goes? I imply, anyone who’s had an Achilles surgical procedure or is aware of something about Achilles surgical procedure, 9 months isn’t best,” Hill mentioned. “However in the end, 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” connected with a left hook. Instantly after the loss, Hill provided an interesting persepective on the loss and took umbrage with Pereira’s celebration. He additionally recently confronted Pereira on the UFC PI in Las Vegas, almost escalating to an impromptu battle.

Reflecting on the sanctioned battle 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. “Persons are out right here for his or her desires 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 looks like his physique is in an important place heading into the battle 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 spot. The bounce in my legs is coming again very, very nicely, and I haven’t actually thought of my Achilles for some time now. The knee harm has not been as bothersome. I really feel like we’re in a extremely good place to come back out and placed on an important efficiency.”