Jamahal Hill claims time off has “lit” a fire under him ahead of UFC return

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is ready to make his return to the Octagon.

Hill hasn’t fought since June of this year, when he dropped a decision to Khalil Rountree, which was his third-straight loss. Since then, he underwent knee surgery and has been rehabbing, and said the time off has lit a fire under him.

“We’re now about two-and-a-half months post-surgery, so feeling good. Feeling good, getting back to it. It’s recovery,” Hill said to The Schmo. “It’s a process. It takes time. It’s one that I’m familiar with, that I’m not the happiest to be going through, but you know, I’m attacking it. I’m just going to attack it the best way I can.

“I haven’t been able to work out for a while. I had the injuries after the fight, had to go from that into surgery. So now I’m just hungry to get back to work. It’s had its negatives and its positives. It’s definitely lit a fire under me, just being away from it for a while, being able to just sit back and being allowed to breathe a little bit.”

Hill is no stranger to injuries, as he tore his Achilles while he was UFC champion, which forced him to vacate. So, the past few years haven’t been kind to him injury-wise. That is why he’s so eager to return and prove how good he can be.

Jamahal Hill focused on getting into the best shape of his life

Along with Hill doing rehab, the focus for the former champ is to get into great shape.

Jamahal Hill knows that at times his physique hasn’t been the best, so he wants to get rid of his gut and help out with his cardio and power.

“I was just cleared recently to start getting back in S&C,” Hill said. “We’re putting a plan together. I’m working with the guys and the ladies over at the PI, the PT staff, the S&C staff, and we’re putting together a plan to get the results that we want. Best version of myself. We going to get rid of the gut, we going to carve up, we going to see what that best physique looks like on me.”

Hill is 12-4 and one NC as a pro. Before the three-fight losing skid, he beat Glover Teixeira by decision to win the light heavyweight title.

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