Jamahal Hill has made his subsequent transfer clear as the previous UFC mild heavyweight champion says he’s heading to heavyweight, and he desires Josh Hokit for his first battle within the division. In the identical stretch of interviews, Hill additionally named Sergei Pavlovich because the fallback choice and dominated out Curtis Blaydes and Serghei Spivac due to his relationships with each males.
Jamahal Hill names Josh Hokit for first heavyweight battle
Hill publicly introduced that he’s transferring as much as heavyweight after spending months including weight and muscle for the change. In a June 17 video from his “What You Assume” podcast, he stated he believes a run at heavyweight carries extra worth for his legacy than attempting to reclaim the sunshine heavyweight belt, including that turning into a two-division champion sounds higher to him than turning into a two-time champion at 205.
Hill stated he desires to return in 2026 if potential, with Madison Sq. Backyard excessive on his record, and stated an early 2027 return could be the backup if nothing comes collectively by yr’s finish.
Hill didn’t body the Hokit callout as random name-chasing. He stated on his podcast that Hokit is “100%” the battle he desires for his heavyweight debut, then added, “Former UFC champion. Come on, come get some.”
He gave a calmer clarification in a separate interview clip with Helen Yee Sports activities, the place he stated, “It could be a useful battle for each of us. I truly suppose he’s humorous. I simply see a dude attempting to eat.” Hill just isn’t promoting this as private hatred as a lot as a battle that matches each side when it comes to consideration and timing.
That matchup additionally is sensible within the present information cycle. Hokit has grow to be one of many extra mentioned names within the division after his White House occasion win, the place his post-fight feedback about Michelle Obama and his celebration drove a robust response on-line. He entered that occasion with momentum as a rising heavyweight, and earlier reporting had him tied to main fights with names like Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis because the UFC examined how excessive he might climb.
Hill has not restricted himself to 1 choice. A latest report tied to his feedback says that if the Hokit battle doesn’t occur, he desires Pavlovich subsequent. Simply as vital is who he doesn’t need. Hill stated he wouldn’t need to battle Spivac as a result of “Spivac is my man,” and stated Blaydes is “like a brother” to him, which successfully removes two established heavyweight names from his wishlist.
Pavlovich, against this, suits the kind of high-risk title Hill appears prepared to simply accept. Pavlovich owns one of many division’s strongest knockout runs in recent times and stopped Blaydes within the first spherical throughout his 2023 surge, which supplies Hill a severe measuring-stick choice if Hokit is unavailable.
Hokit brings warmth, speak, and a recent headline; Hill brings title worth, championship historical past, and an actual take a look at for whether or not his energy and timing carry to heavyweight.
