Former
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight king Jamahal
Hill is confident he will face the winner of the upcoming
UFC 295 vacant title fight between Jiri
Prochazka and Alex
Pereira next year.
Hill (12-1) vacated the title after suffering a torn Achilles
tendon during a pickup basketball game in July. The American was
the second consecutive UFC light heavyweight champ to vacate the
strap after Prochazka (29-3) needed shoulder surgery following his
title victory.
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While Hill admits that he was inclined to retain the title until he
could recover and return to action, vacating was the right thing to
do under the circumstances. “Sweet Dreams” also claimed that
Prochazka didn’t vacate the strap before him out of benevolence as
was initially advertised.
According to Hill, it was “heavily suggested” to Prochazka, who has
also previously admitted that he didn’t relinquish the belt of his
own volition.
“Originally when it happened, that was my first thought [to hold
onto the title], but the thing is they had a deal already in place
with Jiri,” the 32-year-old recently told MMA Fighting.
“Jiri didn’t just vacate his title. He wasn’t just being a samurai
and vacating his title. It was heavily suggested [he should
vacate]. There was a deal made where he would fight for it upon his
return.”
“So, whenever you get me and then I get hurt, we were supposed to
fight, and I have the belt, and he’s promised a title fight. It was
just kind of right to do the same thing.”
Having undergone surgery with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal
ElAttrache, Hill is making a steady recovery and expects to return
to training early next year.
“Sweet Dreams” is targeting a return to the Octagon in the second
quarter of 2024, for which he claims he has been guaranteed a title
fight, champion purse and pay-per-view shares.
“Recovery process has been good. It’s been a lot quicker actually
than I thought it would be. I’ve been making good strides. I’ve
been walking now for a while. I’m getting back to my normal
footwear and things. Just taking it slow. We were taking it slow,
but now, it’s a little bit more aggressive. Looking to hopefully
hit that six-month mark to be back and looking toward getting
booked.
“I was guaranteed when I come back, I will be given the title
fight. [I will receive] the same champion purse and pay-per-view
points.”