Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is wasting no time following his UFC 300 knockout loss, with him set to take on Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 303, on International Fight Week.
Jamahal Hill returned at UFC 300 after a devastating Achilles injury under a year ago. ‘Sweetdreams’ was unable to reclaim the 205lb title after suffering a big first-round knockout loss to Alex Pereira.
Despite the brutal knockout loss, Hill has already booked his next fight just six days after UFC 300, as he takes on Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 303, on June 29th.
The main event for that highly anticipated event has already been announced, as Conor McGregor finally returns, taking on Michael Chandler.
Jamahal Hill originally called out Jiri Prochazka
Despite being booked against ‘The War Horse’, Hill originally had his eyes set on former champion, Jiri Prochazka.
‘BJP’ also fought on the milestone UFC 300 event, where he bounced back from a vacant title fight loss to Alex Pereira, with a win against the returning Aleksandar Rakic.
Following Prochazka’s win, it is likely that he needs another before he is considered for a title shot, and that is why Hill was hoping to fight him in a number-one contender fight.
Although ‘Sweetdreams’ called him out, Prochazka shrugged off the callout recently, stating that he only wants a title fight next, and is willing to make the quick turnaround to fight Pereira at UFC 301 on May 4th.
Despite that, ‘Poatan’s’ manager has made it clear that the 36-year-old won’t be making that quick turnaround, as he needs to wait for his broken toe to fully repair. The Brazilian broke his toe during his UFC 300 fight camp, and the injury resurfaced in the first round of his fight against Hill.
Khalil Rountree Jr can shake things up at light heavyweight
Khalil Rountree Jr is on a five-fight win streak, with his last win coming against Anthony Smith back in December.
The ferocious striker is currently ranked eighth in the 205lb division and a win over the former champion, Hill, would be enough for him to realize a title shot.
The 34-year-old has showcased extreme knockout power on several occasions, which will be a concern for Hill who will fight just 77 days after suffering the knockout to Pereira.
Typically, fighters who suffer knockout losses are given a substantial medical suspension which can be between 45-60 days. After his knockout loss at UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski was handed a 45-day medical suspension, although that was from the California State Athletic Commission.
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