Following his brutal knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300, Jamahal Hill decided to get right back into fight camp, accepting a fight against Khalil Rountree Jr for UFC 303 on June 29th.
Khalil Rountree Jr – who is currently ranked eighth in the light heavyweight division – is on a five-fight win streak and has earned a fight with number three-ranked Jamahal Hill. If the 34-year-old can pick up the win, he would likely earn himself a title shot.
Jamahal Hill on the other hand is of course looking to bounce back from the loss he suffered in the UFC 300 main event, just a few weeks ago. Despite suffering a knockout, ‘Sweetdreams’ decided to get straight back into fight camp instead of letting himself get out of shape.
Jamahal Hill gives his reason for getting straight back into camp
The former light heavyweight champion was likely given a medical suspension of at least 60 days so his preparation may not be able to be what it is usually like.
“I’m already in good shape, I’m feeling good heading into another camp just makes sense, I get to go into a camp in shape instead of going into camp off a layoff so I think that’ll be a huge plus and will help me go out and put on the performance I need to against Khalil Rountree to put myself back in position to get that Alex Pereira fight back.” Hill told the Schmo.
It was announced this past Wednesday that the 205lb fight between Hill and Rountree Jr will serve as the co-main event for the huge International Fight Week card – which is of course headlined by the comeback of Conor McGregor, who takes on Michael Chandler.
‘Sweetdreams’ less interested in the title, more interested in revenge
Despite the fact that a win over ‘The War Horse’ could secure him another title shot, Hill is more focused on exacting revenge on ‘Poatan’, whether he still has the title or not.
“Honestly for me now it’s not even about the Gold strap.” Hill revealed. “It’s about getting back to that (Alex Pereira) fight, I want to fight with Alex again just because of the narrative surrounding it and everything.
“I know what I was feeling in there, I know what type of time it’s really on when we step in there again so I just want to get to that fight, that’s the fight I really want.” Hill added.
Following his emphatic title defense against Hill, Alex Pereira hinted that he wants to move up to heavyweight and fight for the title. Since then though, he has seemingly come to terms with that being an unlikely next move.
Magomed Ankalaev called for a fight with the Brazilian in Abu Dhabi, but the 36-year-old responded to the Russian’s callout stating that he wants to fight sooner than the proposed October date.
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