Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is planning a period of reflection and adjustment following his recent defeat.
Hill experienced his third consecutive loss at UFC Baku, extending a difficult period in his career that began in April 2024. Topping the bill in Azerbaijan, Hill faced Khalil Rountree and was defeated by decision in a fight that lacked significant action.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hill addressed the defeat, acknowledging that he hasn`t been performing at his peak and that adjustments are necessary to regain his previous form.
“I know much discussion preceded the fight, and I made remarks that Khalil Rountree wasn`t at my level, similar to comments before my last few fights,” Hill stated. “But to be honest, I haven`t been at my expected level for a considerable period. I believe people significantly underestimate the severity of the injuries I`ve managed and the obstacles I`ve needed to surmount because of them.”
He continued, “For an athlete, tearing an Achilles tendon can often be career-ending for many individuals. Add to that the other injuries I`ve sustained. Knee injuries resulting from attempting to return too quickly and pushing myself back within the timeframe I did. I disregarded much counsel from my team and those close to me about allowing ample recovery time and rebuilding after my injuries. I feel that`s something I cannot avoid acknowledging.”
Hill, 34, claimed the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 283 with a dominant performance from start to finish against Glover Teixeira. He had to relinquish the belt six months later after suffering an Achilles rupture while playing pickup basketball. In his return bout at UFC 300, Hill suffered a knockout defeat to champion Alex Pereira and has not yet secured a victory since then.
Although Hill did not specify a timeline for when he anticipates scheduling his next bout, he suggested he intends to take a break to allow his injuries to heal properly and implement adjustments to his training regime.
“For now, I`m going to take the necessary time to ensure I can concentrate on my recovery, giving my injuries the time required to restore their strength and my overall feeling of being myself again,” Hill said. “Haven`t felt like my usual self for quite some time now. Haven`t been capable of doing activities I enjoy. Haven`t run since sustaining the injury – a feeling, perhaps, that I`m unable to, and lacking strength in my legs. That`s something that absolutely must change. I must alter the intensity of work I`m prepared to undertake, the level of effort I exert in my preparation. I`m competing against the world`s elite currently, operating at a championship standard, and I need to live and train as a champion should.”
He added, “I`m going to take a break, a bit of time, to return to where I know I`m capable of being and revert to that exciting fighter and dominant champion persona that I know is within me.”
Upon the reading of the scorecards at the end of his fight with Rountree, Hill appeared somewhat taken aback, though he explained he was primarily perturbed by two 50-45 scorecards that he felt did not accurately reflect the competitiveness of the fight. He also seemed to exchange words with Rountree afterward concerning the fight`s perceived lack of action, though the two seemed to resolve that minor disagreement without further issue.
Reflecting on the bout, Hill wants to ensure Rountree receives due credit for his performance.
“Congratulations to Khalil Rountree on securing the victory, entering the top five rankings,” Hill said. “He`s shown great determination. He`s been putting in tremendous effort. He was aiming for another title shot opportunity, and this win will position him to do so. He executed a game plan targeting my legs. He adhered strictly to his game plan.”
He concluded, “The fight was somewhat less engaging than I would have preferred. I anticipated more engagement and for him to actively pursue me, expecting that we would truly engage and deliver a more exciting fight and performance together, but the responsibility is on me to enter the cage and compel opponents to fight the kind of fight I want. That didn`t occur in this particular bout.”
Marcus Blakely