NEWARK, N.J. – Jamahal Hill is setting a deadline for his first UFC light heavyweight title defense, and says it’s up to Jiri Prochazka to decide whether it can be met
Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who claimed the vacant 205-pound belt with a dominant victory over Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in January, is determined to get back in the octagon before the summer is up. Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is his ideal opponent, but with the former titleholder still recovering from a significant shoulder injury that required surgery, there’s no certainties about whether he’ll be available.
It’s the fight Hill wants the most, he said, but his patience is running thin. If Prochazka isn’t ready for the recently announced UFC 292 event Aug. 19 in Boston, then Hill said he’ll move on.
“I’m hearing maybe August (in Boston) – hopefully we get that in and get that contract soon,” Hill told MMA Junkie. “I’m not trying to wait past August. That’s all I know. I don’t want to wait past summer. Whether it’s Jiri or whoever steps forward, I’m ready to get it in.
“Whoever steps forward (if Prochazka isn’t ready), because right now, no one else make sense for real. Some guys are going to have to make some leaps or whatever to put themselves out and separate themselves from the pack. Whoever that is, that’s who I’ll take on.”
The groundwork for a showdown between Hill and Prochazka has already been laid. “Sweet Dreams” holds the belt that Prochazka never lost in the octagon, but rather vacated due to injury. The pair had a viral social media interaction in the aftermath of Hill’s title win over Teixeira, and additionally, they engaged in a tense cageside faceoff at a recent UFC event.
Both men kept it professional during the staredown, but Hill said he took something beneficial away from that moment.
“It was smooth,” Hill said. “It was cool. We were both there. They asked us to do the faceoff and everything for anticipation, because I know that’s going to be a great fight. That’s going to be a great fight for the fans. He thinks he’s ready and I already know what it is. I’m ready to show that.”
The stylistic matchup between Hill, 31, and Prochazka, 30, has fireworks written all over it. Hill has won a bonus in his past four bouts – two Fight of the Nights and two Performance of the Nights – while Prochazka has racked up four total bonuses in just three career UFC appearances overall.
As always, Hill will prepare for five gruesome rounds where he has to dig deep, but when assessing the matchup, doesn’t think it needs to be a blood-and-guts affair. Hill is confident he can make the fight one-way traffic, and he hopes Prochazka can show up on his desired date in Boston to show it.
“I don’t feel like it has to be a war,” Hill said. “I feel like my skill level is vastly past that of his own. I feel like he’s a very physical dude. He’s strong, he’s got some natural physical attributes, but the skill and understanding on the level that I understand this sh*t? He’s not there.
“I was just watching his fights the other day. He’s not that guy. I can’t wait to get him in there. I truly can’t wait to get him in there so he can see what it’s like. It’s going to be funny. I’m going to beat the dog sh*t out that man.”
