American mixed martial artist (born 1991)
Jamahal Hill
(
; 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
.
[4]
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.
[5]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Starting his career in 2017, Hill started his professional career 5?0, 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.
[6]
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.
[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Hill made his UFC debut against
Darko Sto?i?
on January 25, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night 166
.
[8]
He won the fight via unanimous decision.
[9]
Hill faced
Klidson Abreu
on May 30, 2020, at
UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns
.
[10]
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
.
[11]
He was suspended six months and fined 15% of his fight purse.
[11]
Hill faced
Ovince Saint Preux
on December 5, 2020, at
UFC on ESPN 19
.
[12]
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.
[13]
Hill won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.
[14]
Hill was scheduled to face
Paul Craig
on March 20, 2021
UFC on ESPN 21
.
[15]
However, on March 10, Hill withdrew from the bout after testing positive for COVID-19.
[16]
The pairing with Craig remained intact and took place on June 12, 2021, at
UFC 263
.
[17]
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.
[18]
Hill was scheduled to face
Jimmy Crute
on October 2, 2021
UFC Fight Night 193
.
[19]
However, in early September, the bout was rescheduled two months later at
UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo
.
[20]
He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
[21]
This win earned him the
Performance of the Night
award.
[22]
In his first UFC main event, Hill faced
Johnny Walker
on February 19, 2022, at
UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill
.
[23]
He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
[24]
The win earned Hill his second
Performance of the Night
bonus award.
[25]
Hill faced
Thiago Santos
on August 6, 2022, at
UFC on ESPN 40
.
[26]
He won the fight via technical knockout.
[27]
This fight earned him the
Fight of the Night
award.
[28]
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Teixeira vs. Hill
Hill was scheduled to face
Anthony Smith
on March 11, 2023, at
UFC Fight Night 221
.
[29]
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.
[30]
[31]
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.
[32]
This fight earned him the
Fight of the Night
award.
[33]
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.
[34]
Pereira vs Hill
Hill faced
Alex Pereira
for the
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
in the main event of
UFC 300
on April 13, 2024.
[35]
He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.
[36]
Post championship
Hill was scheduled to face
Khalil Rountree Jr.
at
UFC 303
on June 29, 2024.
[37]
However, Rountree was forced to withdraw from the event due to taking a banned substance,
[38]
and was replaced by
Carlos Ulberg
.
[39]
Hill, in turn withdrew due to injury and was replaced by
Anthony Smith
.
[40]
Personal life
Hill has six children, who ranged in age from 2 to 14 years old, as of June 2021.
[41]
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.
[42]
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
.
[50]
|
Win
|
7?0
|
Darko Sto?i?
|
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.
|
[51]
Pay-per-view bouts
See also
References
- ^
"Stats | UFC"
.
ufcstats.com
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Jim Norton
;
Matt Serra
(December 7, 2021).
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(Podcast).
- ^
Benny A. King (January 7, 2023).
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.
calfkicker.com
.
- ^
"UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com"
.
www.ufc.com
. Retrieved
2024-04-16
.
- ^
Joe Aulisio (2019-07-23).
"Grand Rapids fighter earns UFC contract"
.
woodtv
. Retrieved
2019-07-23
.
- ^
Ivan Surlina (2020-12-05).
"UFC Vegas 16: Jamahal Hill is the fighter to watch"
.
fansided
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Cruz, Guilherme (2019-07-23).
"Contender Series results: Three fighters earn UFC deals"
.
MMA Fighting
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
"Curtis Blaydes To Battle Junior Dos Santos At UFC Raleigh"
.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Anderson, Jay (2020-01-25).
"UFC Raleigh Results: Jamahal Hill Picks Apart Darko Stosic, Wins Debut"
.
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. Retrieved
2020-01-26
.
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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
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.
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b
Marc Raimondi (September 3, 2020).
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
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.
mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
2020-10-21
.
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Staff (2020-12-04).
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. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
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.
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Anderson, Jay (2020-12-05).
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
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Farrah Hannoun (2021-03-10).
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. mmajunkie.usatoday.com
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Marcel Dorff (2021-03-24).
"Multiple UFC fights announced, including Craig vs. Hill"
.
mmadna.nl
(in Dutch)
. Retrieved
2021-03-24
.
- ^
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
.
- ^
"Jimmy Crute vs. Jamahal Hill booked for UFC Fight Night on Oct. 2"
.
MMA Junkie
. 2021-07-09
. Retrieved
2021-07-10
.
- ^
Shaun Al-Shatti (2021-09-06).
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.
MMA Fighting
. Retrieved
2021-09-07
.
- ^
Anderson, Jay (2021-12-04).
"UFC Vegas 44: Jamahal Hill Flatlines Jimmy Crute"
.
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. Retrieved
2021-12-05
.
- ^
a
b
Steven Marrocco (2021-12-05).
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. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
2021-12-05
.
- ^
Dorff, Marcel (2022-01-03).
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.
MMA DNA
(in Dutch)
. Retrieved
2022-01-03
.
- ^
Prawdzik, Chris (2022-02-19).
"UFC Vegas 48: Jamahal Hill Drops Johnny Walker In Highlight Reel Finish"
.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
a
b
Chris Taylor (2022-02-19).
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. Retrieved
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.
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.
MMA Junkie
. 2022-05-05
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Anderson, Jay (2022-08-07).
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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
.
- ^
Mike Heck (2022-11-23).
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. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Hall, Derek (2022-12-11).
"Watch: Anthony Smith Reacts On Air To Losing Bout With Jamahal Hill"
.
MMA News
. Retrieved
2022-12-12
.
- ^
Steven Marrocco (2022-12-11).
"Dana White: Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill will fight for vacant title at UFC 283"
. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Val Dewar (2023-01-22).
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.
Cageside Press
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
a
b
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. mmafighting.com
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
Martin, Damon (2023-07-14).
"Jamahal Hill relinquishes UFC title after suffering ruptured Achilles in basketball game"
.
MMA Fighting
. Archived from
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
Sherdog
. Retrieved
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.
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"Alex Pereira Sleeps Jamahal Hill to Close Out UFC 300"
.
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. Retrieved
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.
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Anderson, Jay (19 April 2024).
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.
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
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.
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.
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Thomas Gerbasi (June 10, 2021).
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.
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Marrocco, Steven (2023-12-01).
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.
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tapology
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Mike Bohn (March 2, 2022).
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.
MMAjunkie.com
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.
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espn.com
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Sherdog
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.
Tapology
.
External links