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Jamahal Hill earned Saturday's victory. And then some.
Hill defeated Glover Teixeira by unanimous decision, becoming the new light heavyweight champion.
Teixeira (33-9) put forth a valiant effort, but Hill (12-1, 1 NC) was superior in every category, and that includes both striking and grappling. It was a statement victory, instantly becoming the signature win of his career.
Right from the start, this was an exceptional fight. Hill defended the takedown in the opening round exceptionally well, blocking every attempt, staying on his feet, and forcing Teixeira to eat some vicious shots.
This fight appeared over in the second round, as Hill started to unload on Teixeira. Remarkably, Teixeira stayed on his feet. He eventually forced a takedown, changing the narrative of the bout. Hill made it back to his feet and kept hitting Teixeira with shots, but could not find the winning combination.
The third round centered around a leg kick from Hill that wobbled Teixeira and knocked him down. The fight again appeared moments away from ending, as Hill was about to lay out Teixeira with his ground-and-pound. But, perhaps too respectful of Teixeira’s jiu-jitsu if he got too close, that did not happen. Dripping with blood, Teixeira got back to his feet and kept the remainder of the round competitive.
Entering the championship rounds, Hill emphasized the head kick, hitting it three more times in the first two minutes of the fourth round. Yet Teixeira continued pressing Hill. He got absolutely bludgeoned by Hill in the final minutes of the round, adding to the overall massacre. Hill led in strikes, 192-54, through four rounds.
After landing only one of his first 16 takedown attempts, Teixeira opened the fifth round with a takedown. At the three-minute mark, Teixeira mounted him, but it did not last long—Hill worked his way out, then landed his own takedown.
Hill was simply too much for Teixeira, who announced his retirement after the fight. This ends an iconic career, and Teixeira now passes the torch. Hill now takes his place as UFC light heavyweight champion, becoming the new face of the division.
Main Card Results
• Brandon Moreno Wins UFC Flyweight Title vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
• Gilbert Burns Crushes Neil Magny via Submission
• Jéssica Andrade Outclasses Lauren Murphy in Unanimous Decision
• Johnny Walker Wails On Paul Craig for First-Round TKO Win
Preview
UFC 283 is built around power.
There is former light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira, who seeks to become a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion in the main event of 283, which takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That is the same city he stayed in for a week when he was 19 on his route to illegally entering the United States, a long and complicated journey that eventually brought him to the UFC. Teixeira is also fiercely tough in the cage, which will be a quality necessary to defeat Jamahal Hill. This is the first-ever title shot for Hill, a father of six who comes from extremely humble beginnings. Both men have traversed long, arduous roads to arrive here, and the winner of this fight will take the next step toward becoming a legend.
The first UFC pay-per-view of 2023 also features the fourth—and perhaps final— showdown between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. The score is tied, each with one win a piece against the other, and this flyweight title unification bout will give someone the upper hand (and the title). An interesting backstory to the fight is that Moreno needed to leave his coach, James Krause, who is embroiled in a gambling scandal, and work with a new coaching staff in the lead up to this fight.
Gilbert Burns-Neil Magny is also on the card, as well as Jéssica Andrade-Lauren Murphy. Johnny Walker-Paul Craig opens the main card, and Maurício “Shogun” Rua steps into the cage for one final time, seeking to end his career on a high note against Ihor Potieria.
Loaded with power, this card should allow the UFC to kick off the new year with a compelling start.
