Hill Shrugs Off KO Loss, Books UFC 303 Return
Jamahal Hill is just six days removed from his devastating knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300 and he has already scheduled his next fight.
Per a recent social media announcement by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Hill will step back inside of the Octagon to meet fellow light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree at UFC 303 on June 29 from Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be part of the promotion’s annual International Fight Week.
Another banger coming to International Fight Week @JamahalH vs @KhalilRountree is locked in for #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/Cyzn4EWWgO
— UFC (@ufc) April 20, 2024
In case you were vacationing in the Bahamas last week, Hill met Pereira atop the historic UFC 300 card in “Sin City” to try to win his 205-pound belt back. It was the first time Hill was competing since rupturing his Achilles during a basketball game in July of 2023. Hill was coming off a one-sided beatdown over Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 before his freak accident, but decided to relinquish his title due to the injury.
Unfortunately for Hill, his return fight came against Pereira, who was making his first official title defense of the UFC light heavyweight championship. Pereira was a small betting favorite, but it didn’t take long for Hill to find out that “Poatan” hits harder than most. Pereira cracked Hill with a massive punch in the first round that sent him crashing to the canvas and out for the count. It was a rude awakening for “Sweet Dreams” considering he had never been knocked out before.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion is looking to turn the page fairly quickly as he books his return against Rountree this June. Rountree has been on an absolute tear of late, winning his last five trips to the Octagon. This includes a recent third-round TKO stoppage over former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith. It’s a great challenge for both men, especially for Hill who is less than one week removed from an Alex Pereira knockout punch.
UFC 303 is currently expected to be headlined by the return of Conor McGregor. The former UFC double champion will make his first walk to the Octagon since July 2021 when he takes on fellow lightweight contender Michael Chandler in the biggest main event of the year.
Stick with Mania for more UFC 303 fight card news.