Exclusive: Jamahal Hill Reveals What the UFC Light Heavyweight Division Is Missing
Exclusive: Jamahal Hill Reveals What the UFC Light Heavyweight Division Is Missing originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Jamahal Hill (12-3, 1 NC) believes the UFC light heavyweight division is solid, but there's one thing he hopes to see more of going forward.
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Hill is set for a pivotal clash in the UFC Baku headliner on Saturday. "Sweet Dreams" will be going one-on-one with Khalil Rountree (13-6, 1 NC) inside Baku Crystal Hall. Some fighters on the card have admitted suffering from some jet lag, but Hill told Athlon Sports that this wasn't the case for him.
"The flight actually wasn't that bad," Hill said. "It was alright. Flying first class, so it was pretty good."
Hill is feeling mentally prepared for Rountree, who has developed into a tough Muay Thai specialist. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion revealed whether or not "The War Horse" presents any dangers he hasn't seen before.
"No, not exactly," Hill said. "He just has a resilience to him and a never-quit mentality. He's always going to look for a shot or look to swing back and try to get you out of there. So, nothing that I haven't really seen."
What Does the Light Heavyweight Division Need?
Dominick Reyes being introduced before a UFC fight.(via Zuffa LLC)
As fans wait to see what the next light heavyweight title fight will be, some fresh contenders are starting to emerge, and even some aging stars are resurging. Hill shared his stance on where the 205-pound weight class currently stands.
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"I believe that it's a pretty good division," Hill said. "We got Dominick Reyes finally making that turnaround, turning that corner. I said this for years, even back when he was going through his little rut, that the division's good whenever he's in it and he's in a good spot. You've seen the performances he's put on the last couple of fights, knocking guys out."
As much as Hill feels his division is in a healthy place, he hasn't exactly been impressed with the lack of activity.
"There's young guys up and coming; [Zhang] Mingyang just fought Anthony [Smith]. We're in a good spot. People just need to make their bones; people need to fight, need to be active, and need to keep things going. I've been injured the last two years, and I've still fought about as much as a lot of people. I'd like to see the activity pick up."
Injury Woes Solved
Jamahal Hill poses for the cameras during a UFC ceremonial weigh-in.(via Zuffa LLC)
Hill is entering his fight against Rountree coming off a loss to Jiri Prochazka. Despite showing heart in the bout, "Sweet Dreams" said he felt he was in denial about some of the injuries he was dealing with at the time. He's confident that those issues have been addressed.
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"I went and got some really good treatment," Hill said. "I went and got the stem cell treatment. Took a little bit more time, as we pushed the fight back. That's how we got to where we are now so I could take time to let my body heal. I believe that's paid off a lot for me."
Tuning Out Fickle Fans
Stage lighting over an empty UFC Octagon.(via Zuffa LLC)
Some fans have given Hill his due for the effort he put forth against Prochazka, but he's more concerned with the day one supporters.
"I'm not really paying attention to that," Hill said. "The people that love me, love me. That's the one thing I've learned about this fanbase; they're going to be wishy-washy. So, I stay locked in to the people that are always in my corner. That's who I keep in mind and in my heart."
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Hill also took note of certain fans claiming he continued delaying his fight with Rountree, despite the fact that their first meeting was initially planned for 2024. At the time, that bout cancellation wasn't on his end.
"That's another thing that's weird," Hill said. "I did hear that. People were like, 'Oh, he keeps backing out.' The first time the fight got cancelled, that was because of Khalil. You know what I'm saying?"
Who Will Challenge Magomed Ankalaev?
Magomed Ankalaev stares down his opponent during fighter introductions.(via Zuffa LLC)
Right now, it's unknown what the next UFC light heavyweight title fight will be. Some feel Alex Pereira will ultimately get a title rematch against Ankalaev. Others believe that another contender could slide in for the next title fight at 205 pounds.
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Hill shared his take on what could be Ankalaev's first title defense.
"At this point, I believe Magomed wants to fight, and the UFC likes to keep their champions going," Hill said. "That's their pay-per-views; that's their money. I believe there is an opportunity, but I don't know exactly what's happened. I don't know if they called him and he said no or whatever. It's possible somebody else could slide in there."
Prepared for Khalil Rountree
Khalil Rountree enters the Octagon.(via Zuffa LLC)
Anytime Hill steps inside the Octagon, a dominant finish is ideal. Still, "Sweet Dreams" feels he'll be ready no matter where the fight with Rountree goes.
"I'm prepared for it either way," Hill said. "I'm prepared to go five hard rounds, or I'm prepared to go out there and assert myself and be dominant. I'm always looking to be dominant, go in and dominate the fight, control the fight, and cap it off with a highlight. If that comes, it comes, but if it don't and we got to go to war, I'm ready for war."
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Hill is also taking a simple approach in his bid to walk out of Baku with a victory.
"Just be myself," Hill said. "Get back to doing things business as usual, how I do things, and I believe that will be enough to get the win."
Second UFC Title Reign Can Wait
Jamahal Hill celebrates winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.(via Zuffa LLC)
Hill knows what it's like to hold UFC gold. He's also aware that the possibility of returning to the title picture lies in front of him, but he won't deviate from the task at hand.
"It's possible, but right now that's not my focus and that's not my concern," Hill said. "Right now, my concern is going in and dominating Khalil Rountree on Saturday."
Related: UFC Champion Kayla Harrison Lived an 'Empty Life' Before Motherhood
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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