Jamahal Hill unconcerned about his layoff ahead of UFC 300: “I am who I am. I do what I do.”
UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill will return to the Octagon this spring as one-half of the UFC 300 main event opposite Alex Pereira.
The news broke just minutes after the UFC 298 pay-per-view had concluded, as UFC CEO Dana White chose to unveil the fight through promotional social media channels instead of a traditional trailer.
For Hill, however, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native is focused on the task at hand and regaining the belt he never lost.
Speaking to Australian MMA outlet and UFC television partner MAIN EVENT, Hill isn’t concerned about the past, his layoff, or his inability to successfully defend his once-earned belt.
Jamahal Hill plans on silencing his critics
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“No,” Jamahal Hill said when asked about any concerns about ring rust woes. “I am who I am. I do what I do. Me in the gym is who I am. Me in the cage is who I am. That’s just me being me. That’s all I know how to be is myself. So, I’m gonna go in and do that, and we’ll see what’s next.”
Hill respects Pereira as a competitor and world champion but says he is better everywhere and expects to put on the best performance of his career.
“I’m giving him my full-blown, undivided attention,” Jamahal Hill said. “My team is throwing everything at it. He has all of our undivided attention, and that’s a dangerous place for him to be.”
Hill is returning after suffering an Achilles tear last summer, as his last fight took place over a year ago when he knocked off Glover Teixeira to win the UFC light heavyweight title. The victory made Hill the first Dana White Contender Series alumni to earn a contract and win a UFC title successfully.
Jamahal Hill will look to become a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion, which would, in turn, prevent Pereira from the possibility of holding two belts simultaneously down the road.
For now, though, only time will tell.
What are your thoughts on Jamahal Hill’s comments ahead of UFC 300?
