UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill Relinquishes Title Due to Achilles Injury
July 14, 2023
By Marc Raimondi, ESPN Staff Writer
In a disappointing turn of events, Jamahal Hill, the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, has announced that he will be relinquishing his title after sustaining a ruptured Achilles tendon. Hill made the announcement on Thursday night through his YouTube channel, stating that he will be out of action for an indefinite period.
“If I had my choice, would I like to give up the belt? No, I wouldn’t. You got to be consistent. I understand, it’s the business. The show must go on. I’m not exempt from that,” Hill expressed in his candid video.
Hill ascended to the top of the division just six months ago by defeating former champion Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in January. This marks the third time in the past three years that the UFC Light Heavyweight title has been vacated. Previously, Jiri Prochazka suffered a shoulder injury and had to relinquish the belt, leading to a vacant title fight between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev. Most notably, longtime light heavyweight king Jon Jones vacated the title in August 2020 to pursue a heavyweight career and is now the current UFC Heavyweight Champion.
In acknowledging Prochazka’s decision to give up the title last year, Hill expressed his appreciation for the former champion’s sportsmanship and revealed his intention to follow suit.
“I’ll do the same,” Hill said. “Right now, the biggest thing is focusing on my recovery, focusing on getting back to 100 percent.”
Jamahal Hill, with a professional record of 12-1, 1 NC, has been on an impressive winning streak, securing victory in his last four fights and earning fight-night bonuses along the way. The 32-year-old Chicago native, who rose to prominence after his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, holds a remarkable 6-1 (1 NC) record in the UFC.
Despite the setback, Hill remains confident in his abilities and claims that the UFC has promised him a title shot upon his return.
“I already know I’m the real champion,” declared Hill. “I’m the true champion. I can’t wait to prove it.”
As the division is once again left without a champion, fans eagerly anticipate the UFC’s next course of action to determine the new light heavyweight titleholder.