LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 13: Jamahal Hill prepares to face Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC light … [+]
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill steps into the Octagon for the first time in over nine months when he faces another ex-champion, Jiri Prochazka, at UFC 311. Hill looks forward to returning to action after a disappointing outing in his last fight.
Hill (12-2) last competed at UFC 300, when he faced UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the main event of that pay-per-view card. The night ended disastrously for Hill as Pereira knocked him out 3:14 into the first round.
That matchup was Hill’s first fight since he defeated Glover Teixeira via decision at UFC 283 in January 2023 in the main event of UFC 283. With the win, Hill claimed the vacant UFC light heavyweight crown.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – JANUARY 21: Jamahal Hill reacts after his victory over Glover Teixeira of … [+]
Hill’s time with the belt was short-lived. He injured his Achilles’ tendon, reportedly in a basketball game, as he waited for a title defense against Prochazka, who was recovering from shoulder surgery, to come together.
“Everyone knows that I’ve been waiting for months now to face Jiri Prochazka and defend my belt and my title – unfortunately we’re going to have to wait a little bit,” Hill said on his YouTube channel. “I’ve ruptured my Achilles. … It’s just one of those things that happens. It’s one that will require surgery and time and rehab and things to be out for a while. Also, with that, I was given an opportunity. I was given an opportunity. Jiri Prochazka was the champion. He suffered an injury, as these things happen and he had to – he gave up the belt and allowed for others to not hold the division up, to keep the division moving forward to make sure the people had a champion. I’ll do the same.
“Right now, the biggest thing is focusing on my recovery, focusing on getting back to 100 percent. I need to take some time and focus on my health and make sure that I’m 100 and make sure I’m the fighter that everyone knows I am. In order to do that, I need to focus on getting ready and rehabbing.”
Upon returning, the UFC booked Pereira vs. Hill as a short-notice main event for UFC 300.
UFC 311: Jiri Prochazka Vs. Jamahal Hill
Heading into UFC 311, Prochazka (30-5-1) is the No. 2 fighter in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings, while Hill check in at No. 3. Prochazka, like his opponent, is coming off a TKO loss to Pereira in a title fight. That bout took place at UFC 303, with Pereira stopping the fight in the second stanza.
Hill recently spoke about the upcoming matchup with WOOD TV8.
“We’ve been on a collision course for some time now, and now it’s our time to meet and see who takes that next step forward,” Hill said.
The ex-champ also reflected on his injury, recovery and loss to Pereira.
“I don’t like to make excuses, but was I 100 percent where I needed to be as far as the injury goes? I mean, anybody who’s had an Achilles surgery or knows anything about Achilles surgery, nine months isn’t ideal,” Hill said. “But ultimately, I took the fight. I banked on myself and went in there ready to fight. So, what happened, happened.”
“I’m extremely hungry to get back,” Hill added. “I’m feeling better. I’m feeling closer to where I was pre any of the injuries. It’s all starting to come back together, come back into form, and I’m just excited to get back in.”
“… I’m in a good spot. The bounce in my legs is coming back very, very well, and I haven’t really thought about my Achilles for a while now. The knee injury has not been as bothersome. I feel like we’re in a really good place to come out and put on a great performance.”
UFC 311: Jiri Prochazka Vs. Jamahal Hill Opening Odds
According to BetOnline, the opening odds had Hill as the -130 betting favorite over Prochazka, who came in at +110.
Those odds have flipped. Today, Prochazka is -120, while Hill checks in at +110.
UFC 311 Full Fight Card
UFC 311 PPV Card
Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill
Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
UFC 311 Preliminary card
Johnny Walker vs. Bogdan Guskov
Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
Jailton Almeida vs.Serghei Spivac
Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas
UFC 311 Early Preliminary Card
Grant Dawson vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez
Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
Ricky Turcios vs. Bernardo Sopaj
Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter
*UFC 311 fight card is subject to change
UFC 311, the first fight card on the UFC’s 2025 schedule takes place on January 18, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The pay-per-view portion of the event begins at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.
We will have more on UFC 311: Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill, as fight night nears.
