Jamahal Hill Record: 12-4-0

Rise to the title

Hill's early UFC run included a 2020 bout against Klidson Abreu that was overturned to a no contest, followed by a second-round TKO of veteran Ovince St. Preux in December 2020. His momentum stalled in June 2021 when Paul Craig stopped him with elbows and punches at UFC 263, but Hill responded with the most devastating stretch of his career. He knocked out Jimmy Crute with a first-round right hook in December 2021, then flattened Johnny Walker in the first round in February 2022. In August 2022 he battered Thiago Santos to a fourth-round TKO, surging to the top of the contender pile.

That climb culminated at UFC 283 in January 2023, when Hill outpointed former champion Glover Teixeira over five rounds via unanimous decision in Teixeira's home country of Brazil – the win that made Hill the UFC light heavyweight champion. A serious Achilles injury later forced him to vacate the belt without defending it.

Return and recent run

Hill came back at UFC 300 in April 2024 against Alex Pereira, but was knocked out in the first round. He then dropped a third-round TKO to Jiří Procházka at UFC 311 in January 2025, and lost a five-round unanimous decision to Khalil Rountree Jr. in June 2025, leaving him searching for his footing near the top of the division.

Fighting style

Hill is a rangy, southpaw-leaning striker whose calling card is concussive power. Seven of his 12 wins have come by knockout or TKO, with the remaining five by decision and no submissions, a finish rate around 58 percent. He uses his length and volume to set up sudden, fight-ending shots, as the Crute and Walker knockouts showed. His grappling and chin have been tested in defeat – all three of his losses by stoppage came against elite punchers – but on the feet he remains one of light heavyweight's most feared finishers.

Career highlights

• UFC Light Heavyweight Champion — defeated former titleholder Glover Teixeira over five rounds at UFC 283 to claim the belt before injury forced him to relinquish it.
• Contender Series product — earned his UFC deal by finishing Alexander Poppeck, then climbed from prospect to champion in under four years.
• Knockout streak to the top — rattled off finishes of Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos to fight his way into a title shot.