Following his third consecutive defeat at UFC Baku against Khalil Rountree, former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is planning to step away from competition temporarily to address ongoing issues and regain his top form.
In comments made on his YouTube channel, Hill acknowledged that he hasn`t been performing at his usual elite level for some time. He attributed this dip in performance, in part, to the lasting effects of significant injuries he has sustained. Hill believes the severity of his past injuries, particularly a torn Achilles tendon and subsequent knee problems resulting from rushing his return to fighting, has been underestimated. He admitted that he went against the advice of his team by trying to come back too quickly.
Hill`s career saw him capture the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 283. However, he was forced to vacate the belt just six months later due to the Achilles rupture. His highly anticipated comeback fight at UFC 300 resulted in a knockout loss to current champion Alex Pereira, and the recent decision loss to Rountree marked his third straight defeat.
While not providing a specific timeline for his return, Hill clearly stated his intention to use this period off to fully heal his physical ailments and implement necessary changes to his training regimen. He explained that he hasn`t felt like himself and has lacked the required strength in his legs needed for high-level competition, noting that he hasn`t even been able to run since his initial injury. Hill emphasized that to compete at a championship standard against the world`s best, he must elevate his preparation and work ethic.
“I`m going to take time out,” Hill stated. “Take a little bit of time to get back to where I know I can be and get back to that exciting fighter and that dominant champion that I know that I am.”
Reflecting on the recent fight against Rountree, Hill expressed surprise and frustration specifically regarding the wide 50-45 scores from the judges, feeling the bout was more competitive than those scores suggested. He also mentioned a brief post-fight exchange with Rountree concerning the fight`s pace.
Despite his disappointment with how the fight played out, Hill was quick to give credit to Khalil Rountree for securing the victory and effectively sticking to his strategic game plan. He noted that Rountree successfully targeted his legs throughout the fight. While Hill personally found the bout less action-packed than he would have preferred, he ultimately took responsibility, acknowledging that it is his duty as a fighter to dictate the pace and force the type of fight he wants, which he failed to do in this instance.
