Jamahal Hill hopes first UFC light heavyweight title defense is against Jiri Prochazka
Newly-crowned champion Jamahal Hill hopes that his first UFC light heavyweight title defense is against former champ Jiri Prochazka.
Hill defeated Glover Teixeira this past weekend at UFC 283 via a unanimous decision to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion. The reason the belt was vacated in the first place was that Prochazka, the former champ, had to give up his belt due to suffering a shoulder injury in training. The hope is that Prochazka returns to the Octagon later this year, and he will likely get an immediate title shot upon his return. If that’s the case, then Hill hopes that he gets the first crack at the former champ in his first title defense.
Speaking to MMAjunkie.com, Hill confirmed that he wants to fight Prochazka for the belt next.
“I’m hoping that it’s him, because I’ve wanted the Jiri fight for a long time. I know that’s a big fight. The magnitude of that fight would be really great, and I think I win. I think I’m better than Jiri everywhere,” Hill said.
According to Hill, he has no problem waiting until the summer to see if Prochazka is ready to fight again. If not, then he would be willing to fight someone else, but in an ideal world, he wants to fight Prochazka next.
“I’m willing to wait till July, August, but past that I think it’s next man up. I don’t think they (UFC) feeling Magomed (Ankalaev) like that just because, you know, the way he responded to the decision of being a draw, talking about like, ‘I’ll never fight for the UFC again.’ That’s not going to get you a title shot, bro. They might put him through another test. I want the Jiri fight, but I’m willing to fight whoever is next man up. I’m here to roll everybody. I achieved my dream, now I’m dream blocking,” Hill said.
Do you hope that Jamahal Hill fights Jiri Prochazka in his first UFC light heavyweight title defense?
