Jamahal Hill was “scolded” by Alex Pereira’s former kickboxing rival
Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill are unlikely to ever become friends after their tense clash at the UFC Performance Institute, where the two top light heavyweight fighters nearly exchanged blows. Both sides have their own versions of what led to the altercation, but the common point is that cooler heads prevailed when Pereira’s coach intervened to separate them.
As of now, Pereira is not expected to defend his title against Hill, but that could change if Hill performs impressively next month at UFC 311, where he will face Jiří Procházka, another former opponent of Pereira. While Pereira is not known for having many altercations outside the Octagon, he did deliver a stunning knockout against Hill at UFC 300 earlier this year.
The Altercation and Reaction from Dustin Jacoby
The recent altercation between Pereira and Hill has heightened interest in a potential title rematch. However, Dustin Jacoby, one of Pereira’s former rivals in Glory Kickboxing, criticized Hill for instigating the confrontation. In a press conference ahead of UFC Tampa, Jacoby said, “I don’t know why Jamahal went in there. If I were him, I wouldn’t go straight to him. You’ve settled your differences in the Octagon; he had his chance and might get another if he keeps doing well.”
Jacoby emphasized that Pereira should not be underestimated. “Pereira is just a guy playing the game, like, ‘If you want to talk, here are the gloves, and we’ll go in there.’ That’s also a dangerous move. Pereira is clearly one of the best, one of the hardest hitters ever in the UFC,” he added.
Pereira’s Power and Jacoby’s Connection
Jacoby knows a thing or two about Pereira’s power, especially after being knocked out by him in a fight at Glory 14. Currently, both fighters compete in the same weight class in MMA, but a potential MMA rematch between them is still a long way off. Jacoby is set to return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC Tampa to face Vitor Petrino.
Future Prospects for Pereira and Hill
Pereira recently defended his UFC light heavyweight title by knocking out Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. Next, he may face Magomed Ankalaev for his title defense, although this could change if Hill delivers a shocking performance in his upcoming match.
As of now, the UFC has yet to announce or schedule Pereira’s return to the Octagon in 2025. A potential superfight with Jon Jones is also on Pereira’s radar if Jones can get past Tom Aspinall.
Hill is expected to return at UFC 303 to fight Rountree before an injury led to the postponement of this event. His upcoming return at UFC 311 marks his first fight since being knocked out by Pereira.
Conclusion
The recent incident at UFC PI could be a part of the buildup for a rematch between Pereira and Hill in 2025. The tension remains high between both sides as they prepare for their upcoming fights. With many factors influencing the future of both fighters, fans can expect an exciting battle if they meet again down the line.
