Jamahal Hill wants a big matchup next.
The UFC light heavyweight contender is itching to take a big step-up in competition following his most recent win in the octagon. Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) defeated former title challenger Thiago Santos by fourth-round TKO during their main event clash at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 40.
And now on a three-fight wining streak and his second consecutive headlining bout, Hill wants a title shot against champion Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), but he’s willing to settle for the former champion Jan Blachowicz (29-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC).
“Everybody interests me at the top, but I want the shot at Jiri,” Hill told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 40 post-fight press conference. “I’ve been calling for Jiri for two years now. I want him. I don’t care if he’s the champion. I got twice as many wins as he does in this organization.
“So I want him. I can’t get him? Give me the man that used to sit on that throne. I’ll take Jan. I’m hungry. I want gold. The lion is hungry for gold.”
Prior to UFC on ESPN 40, Hill won back-to-back bouts against Jimmy Crute and Johnny Walker, each by first-round knockout. Seven of Hill’s 12 professional bouts have ended by either knockout or TKO.
Although he kept his finishing rate high, Hill is not entirely satisfied with his performance against Santos.
“I’m happy with the win, but I’m not happy with the performance,” Hill explained. “I need to go back to the drawing board and do a much, much better job, and yeah, that’s what I’m going to do.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.
