Jamahal Hill

Jamahal Hill
BornJamahal Alexander Hill
(1991-05-19) May 19, 1991 (age 33)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesSweet Dreams
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Reach79 in (201 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofGrand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
TeamBlack Lion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (2010–present)[2]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins12
By knockout7
By decision5
Losses2
By knockout2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Jamahal Alexander Hill[4] (/dʒəˈmɑːl/; born May 19, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. As of April 16, 2024, he is #3 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[5]

Early life

Hill moved to Grand Rapids when he was 12. He graduated from Rogers High School in Wyoming, Michigan. After passing on a basketball career at Davenport University, Hill started competing in professional mixed martial arts in 2017.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Hill started his professional career in 2017 with a 5–0 record, four of the five fights coming under the KnockOut Promotions banner. In just his fourth professional fight Hill defeated future UFC fighter Dequan Townsend despite Townsend having twenty-six pro appearances prior to that bout.[7]

Hill then received the call to appear on Dana White's Contender Series 21 back in 2019, where Hill defeated opponent Alexander Poppeck via second-round ground and pound, earning his UFC contract.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hill made his UFC debut against Darko Stošić on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Hill faced Klidson Abreu on May 30, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns.[11] He initially won the fight via technical knockout in the first round, but the fight was later overturned on September 3 because Hill tested positive for marijuana.[12] He was suspended six months and fined 15% of his fight purse.[12]

Hill faced Ovince Saint Preux on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19.[13] At the weigh-ins, former interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Ovince Saint Preux weighed in at 207.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the light heavyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Saint Preux was fined 20% of his individual purse, which went to Hill.[14] Hill won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[15]

Hill was scheduled to face Paul Craig on March 20, 2021 UFC on ESPN 21.[16] However, on March 10, Hill withdrew from the bout after testing positive for COVID-19.[17] The pairing with Craig remained intact and took place on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263.[18] After having his elbow dislocated early in the fight via an armbar from Craig, Hill lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[19]

Hill was scheduled to face Jimmy Crute on October 2, 2021 UFC Fight Night 193.[20] However, in early September, the bout was rescheduled two months later at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo.[21] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[22] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[23]

In his first UFC main event, Hill faced Johnny Walker on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill.[24] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[25] The win earned Hill his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[26]

Hill faced Thiago Santos on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 40.[27] He won the fight via technical knockout.[28] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[29]

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Teixeira vs. Hill
Main article: UFC 283

Hill was scheduled to face Anthony Smith on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[30] However, Hill was pulled from the bout after being rebooked to headline UFC 283 for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Glover Teixeira on January 21, 2023.[31][32] He won the bout and title via unanimous decision, and in the process became the first Dana White's Contender Series alumn to win a UFC championship.[33] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[34]

Injury and vacating the title

On July 14, 2023, Hill announced via his YouTube page that he had ruptured his Achilles tendon playing a fighter basketball game during UFC International Fight Week, and that he would be relinquishing the UFC Light Heavyweight title.[35]

Pereira vs Hill

Hill faced Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event of UFC 300 on April 13, 2024.[36] He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.[37]

Post championship

Hill was scheduled to face Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303 on June 29, 2024.[38] However, Rountree was forced to withdraw from the event due to taking a banned substance,[39] and was replaced by Carlos Ulberg.[40] Hill, in turn withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Anthony Smith.[41]

Hill is scheduled to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiří Procházka on January 18, 2025 at UFC 311.[42]

Personal life

Hill has six children, who ranged in age from 2 to 14 years old, as of June 2021.[43] On November 28, 2023, Hill was arrested in Kent County, Michigan on a charge of aggravated domestic violence after allegedly assaulting his brother on the night of November 27. He was later released from custody after posting bail. Hill's first court hearing was scheduled for January 2024.[44]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches 12 wins 2 losses
By knockout 7 2
By decision 5 0
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–2 (1) Alex Pereira KO (punches) UFC 300 April 13, 2024 1 3:14 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 12–1 (1) Glover Teixeira Decision (unanimous) UFC 283 January 21, 2023 5 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Won the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Fight of the Night. Later vacated the title due to injury.
Win 11–1 (1) Thiago Santos TKO (punches and elbows) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill August 6, 2022 4 2:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 10–1 (1) Johnny Walker KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill February 19, 2022 1 2:55 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 9–1 (1) Jimmy Crute KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo December 4, 2021 1 0:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 8–1 (1) Paul Craig TKO (elbows and punches) UFC 263 June 12, 2021 1 1:59 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win 8–0 (1) Ovince Saint Preux TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori December 5, 2020 2 3:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (207.5 lb) bout; Saint Preux missed weight.
NC 7–0 (1) Klidson Abreu NC (overturned) UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns May 30, 2020 1 1:51 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Originally a TKO (knee to the body and punches) win for Hill; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana.[52]
Win 7–0 Darko Stošić Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos January 25, 2020 3 5:00 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Win 6–0 Alexander Poppeck TKO (punches and elbows) Dana White's Contender Series 21 July 23, 2019 3 0:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–0 William Vincent TKO (retirement) Lights Out Championship 2 February 16, 2019 1 5:00 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Catchweight (225 lb) bout.
Win 4–0 Dequan Townsend Decision (unanimous) KnockOut Promotions 62 June 30, 2018 5 5:00 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Won the KOP Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 3–0 William Vincent Decision (unanimous) KnockOut Promotions 61 April 21, 2018 3 5:00 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Win 2–0 Mike Johnson TKO (punches) KnockOut Promotions 59 December 16, 2017 1 4:45 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 1–0 Alex Davidson Decision (unanimous) KnockOut Promotions 58 September 30, 2017 3 5:00 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Catchweight (215 lb) bout.

[53]

Pay-per-view bouts

No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV Buys
1. UFC 283 Teixeira vs. Hill January 21, 2023 Jeunesse Arena Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Not Disclosed[54]
2. UFC 300 Pereira vs. Hill April 13, 2024 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Not Disclosed[55]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  2. ^ Jim Norton; Matt Serra (December 7, 2021). "Jamahal Hill and Vince Morales" (Podcast).
  3. ^ Benny A. King (January 7, 2023). "UFC Light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill promoted to BJJ brown belt". calfkicker.com.
  4. ^ "Jamahal Hill: Streams, Merchandise, Personal Videos | MILLIONS". millions.co. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  5. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  6. ^ Joe Aulisio (2019-07-23). "Grand Rapids fighter earns UFC contract". woodtv. Archived from the original on 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  7. ^ Ivan Surlina (2020-12-05). "UFC Vegas 16: Jamahal Hill is the fighter to watch". fansided. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  8. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2019-07-23). "Contender Series results: Three fighters earn UFC deals". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  9. ^ "Curtis Blaydes To Battle Junior Dos Santos At UFC Raleigh". UFC. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  10. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-01-25). "UFC Raleigh Results: Jamahal Hill Picks Apart Darko Stosic, Wins Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  11. ^ Staff (2020-05-04). "A light heavyweight bout between Jamahal Hill and Klidson Abreu is set for UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns". theringreport.com. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  12. ^ a b Marc Raimondi (September 3, 2020). "Four UFC fighters suspended, fined for positive drug tests". ESPN. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  13. ^ Nolan King (2020-10-21). "Ovince Saint Preux vs. Jamahal Hill added to UFC event on Dec. 5". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  14. ^ Staff (2020-12-04). "UFC on ESPN 19 weigh-in results: One fighter heavy, but 11 fights official". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  15. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-12-05). "UFC Vegas 16 Results: Jamahal Hill Endures Leg Kick Attack, Stops OSP". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  16. ^ Nolan King (2021-01-15). "UFC adds Paul Craig vs. Jamahal Hill to March 20 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  17. ^ Farrah Hannoun (2021-03-10). "UFC on ESPN 21 co-main event scrapped after Jamahal Hill forced to withdraw from Paul Craig bout". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  18. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-03-24). "Multiple UFC fights announced, including Craig vs. Hill". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  19. ^ Heck, Mike (2021-06-12). "Manager: Jamahal Hill's arm dislocated, not broken, in UFC 263 loss to Paul Craig". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  20. ^ "Jimmy Crute vs. Jamahal Hill booked for UFC Fight Night on Oct. 2". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  21. ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (2021-09-06). "Jimmy Crute vs. Jamahal Hill targeted for UFC event on December 4". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-12-04). "UFC Vegas 44: Jamahal Hill Flatlines Jimmy Crute". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  23. ^ a b Steven Marrocco (2021-12-05). "UFC Vegas 44 post-fight bonuses: Clay Guida picks up 10th performance check just shy of 40th birthday". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  24. ^ Dorff, Marcel (2022-01-03). "Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 19 februari in Las Vegas". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  25. ^ Prawdzik, Chris (2022-02-19). "UFC Vegas 48: Jamahal Hill Drops Johnny Walker In Highlight Reel Finish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  26. ^ a b Chris Taylor (2022-02-19). "UFC Vegas 48 Bonus Report: Kyle Daukaus among four 'POTN' winners". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  27. ^ "UFC books Thiago Santos vs. Jamahal Hill for Aug. 6 headliner". MMA Junkie. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  28. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-08-07). "Jamahal Hill Stops Thiago Santos, UFC Vegas 59 Ends Up with 100% Finish Rate". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  29. ^ a b "UFC on ESPN 40 bonuses: Jamahal Hill vs. Thiago Santos main event war among 5 total winners". MMA Junkie. 2022-08-07. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  30. ^ Mike Heck (2022-11-23). "Anthony Smith vs. Jamahal Hill on tap to headline March 11 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  31. ^ Hall, Derek (2022-12-11). "Watch: Anthony Smith Reacts On Air To Losing Bout With Jamahal Hill". MMA News. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  32. ^ Steven Marrocco (2022-12-11). "Dana White: Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill will fight for vacant title at UFC 283". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  33. ^ Val Dewar (2023-01-22). "UFC 283: Jamahal Hill becomes first champ from Contender Series, Glover Teixeira retires". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  34. ^ a b Staff (2023-01-22). "UFC 283 bonuses: Jamahal Hill vs. Glover Teixeira wins Fight of the Night". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  35. ^ Martin, Damon (2023-07-14). "Jamahal Hill relinquishes UFC title after suffering ruptured Achilles in basketball game". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  36. ^ Sherdog.com. "Alex Pereira to Defend LHW Title Against Jamahal Hill in UFC 300 Headliner". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  37. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-04-14). "Alex Pereira Sleeps Jamahal Hill to Close Out UFC 300". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  38. ^ Anderson, Jay (19 April 2024). "Jamahal Hill Books Quick Return, Gets Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303". Cageside Press.
  39. ^ Staff (2024-05-19). "Khalil Rountree Out Of UFC 303 Due To Banned Substance". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  40. ^ "With Khalil Rountree out, Carlos Ulberg steps in to face Jamahal Hill at UFC 303". MMA Junkie. 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  41. ^ "UFC 303: Diego Lopes vs. Brian Ortega added, Anthony Smith replaces Jamahal Hill vs. Carlos Ulberg". sports.yahoo.com. 14 June 2024.
  42. ^ Martin, Damon (2024-11-23). "Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill booked for UFC 311 in January". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  43. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (June 10, 2021). "The Humbling Home Life Of Jamahal Hill". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  44. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2023-12-01). "Report: Jamahal Hill arrested, charged with domestic violence for allegedly assaulting brother". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  45. ^ a b UFC (June 16, 2023). "UFC Fight Stats". UFC.
  46. ^ Mike Bohn (January 22, 2023). "UFC 283 post-event facts: Jamahal Hill sets striking record in bloody title win". MMAjunkie.com.
  47. ^ a b "UFC Light Heavyweight - Stats". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  48. ^ a b c d e f "UFC Light Heavyweight - Fight Stats". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  49. ^ "Dequan Townsend vs. Jamahal Hill". tapology. 2020-03-05. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  50. ^ Mike Bohn (March 2, 2022). "MMA Junkie's Knockout of the Month for February: Jamahal Hill crushes Johnny Walker". MMAjunkie.com.
  51. ^ "MMA Junkie's Fight of the Month for January: Jamahal Hill batters Glover Teixeira in Brazil". MMAjunkie.com. January 31, 2023.
  52. ^ Marc Raimondi (2020-09-03). "Four UFC fighters suspended, fined for positive drug tests". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  53. ^ Sherdog.com. "Jamahal Hill". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  54. ^ "UFC 283: Teixeira vs. Hill | MMA Event". Tapology.
  55. ^ "UFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill | MMA Event". Tapology.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jamahal Hill.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by 18th UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
January 21, 2023 – July 14, 2023 		Vacant
Title next held by
Alex Pereira