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Tag: Jamahal Hill

  • UFC Vegas 48: Walker vs. Hill Preview, Weigh-In Results, & Face-Off

    The weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 48: Walker vs. Hill have wrapped up, and we’ve got the results for you below.

    UFC Vegas 48: Walker vs. Hill takes place tomorrow night from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, #10-ranked Johnny Walker will look to get back on track by defeating #10-ranked Jamahal Hill.

    This main event features two of the best KO artists in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. 7 and Hill’s 9 career victories have come by KO as well as 15 of Walker’s 18 wins. Combined, these two highlight reels have a combined 81% finish rate.

    Known for his unorthodox movement and unpredictability, Johnny Walker has been considered to be one of the wildest and most entertaining fighters in the UFC. However, in his last fight, we saw a much more conservative approach in his fight against Thiago Santos. Walker lost that bout and has now promised to return to the “explosive” and “unpredictable” Johnny Walker of old.

    Jamahal Hill has stated that he is more than ready for either side of Walker, whether it’s the “wild” version or the “calculated” version. Hill is 9-1 as a pro and his only loss came against Paul Craig at UFC 263, with Hill suffering a dislocated arm towards the end of the contest. Hill was able to bounce back from that loss with a first-round KO of Jimmy Crute last December.

    You can view the face-off of tomorrow night’s headliners below.

    All but one fighter made weight today. The lone fighter to miss was Gabriel Benitez, who came in two pounds over the featherweight limit ahead of his fight against David Onama. Benitez is being fined 30% of his fight purse and the bout will proceed as scheduled.

    UFC Vegas 48 kicks off at 4 PM ET, with the main card beginning at 7 PM. The entire card will be available exclusively on ESPN+. You can view the full card and weigh-in results below, courtesy of UFC.com. You can also catch the UFC’s fight-by-fight preview for the card right here.

    UFC Vegas 48: Walker vs. Hill Weigh-In Results

    MAIN CARD (7PM ET, 4PM PT, ESPN+)

    Main Event – Light Heavyweight Bout: Johnny Walker (206) vs Jamahal Hill (205)

    Co-Main Event – Catchweight (195-lb) Bout: Kyle Daukaus (193.5) vs Jamie Pickett (194)

    Heavyweight Bout: Parker Porter (263) vs Alan Baudot (256)

    Lightweight Bout: Jim Miller (156) vs Nikolas Motta (154.5)

    Middleweight Bout: Joaquin Buckley (183) vs Abdul Razak Alhassan (186)

    PRELIMS (4PM ET, 1PM PT, ESPN+)

    Featherweight Bout: Gabriel Benitez (148)* vs David Onama (144.5)

    Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Jessica-Rose Clark (135.5) vs Stephanie Egger (135) 

    Featherweight Bout: Chas Skelly (146) vs Mark Striegl (145) 

    Women’s Strawweight Bout: Diana Belbita (116) vs Gloria de Paula (115.5) 

    Bantamweight Bout: Chad Anheliger (135) vs Jesse Strader (135)

    Featherweight Bout: Jonathan Pearce (145.5) vs Christian Rodriguez (146)

    Bantamweight Bout: Mario Bautista (135.5) vs Jay Perrin (136)

    Be sure to keep it locked right here on MMANews.com tomorrow night for full coverage of tomorrow night’s UFC Vegas 48 event!

  • Johnny Walker Promises Return Of “Explosive” & “Unpredictable” Walker

    UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker is expecting to deliver an “explosive” and “unpredictable” performance against Jamahal Hill this weekend.

    Throughout his UFC career so far, we’ve pretty much come to expect those words to be incorporated into Walker’s game plan. From his brutal elbows against Khalil Rountree to his flying knee against Misha Cirkunov, not many fighters on the promotion’s roster, barring his compatriot Michel Pereira, have fans waiting for something crazy quite like the #10-ranked 205lber.

    However, that was far from the case in his last outing. In the UFC Vegas 38 main event last October, Walker had his chance to break through into the elite of the division against former title challenger Thiago Santos. What was billed as a five-round thriller turned out to be the opposite, and saw the 29-year-old fall on the wrong side of a unanimous decision verdict.

    Now set for another main event chance this Saturday thanks to the postponement of Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev, Walker will be hoping to return to the win column, and to his unique and enthralling approach, against fellow rising contender Hill.

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Walker suggested sharing the Octagon with a fellow Brazilian last time out may have played a part in his toned-down performance.

    With that not being an issue this time around, the Rio de Janeiro native is targeting a return to his “explosive” style on February 19.

    “I’ve trained so much. I’m gonna put everything on the edge of my glove this Saturday,” said Walker. “And I’m gonna do my best. I’m gonna be very professional. I’m gonna use all my level, all my experience. I’m gonna be explosive, I’m gonna be unpredictable, I’m gonna use all my weapons, and I’m gonna take my time as well. I’m just gonna be another level.”

    Walker Expects An Early Finish

    Despite suggesting he’ll be taking his time and not going too crazy inside the Apex on Saturday, Walker did still predict an early finish, especially if Hill decides to throw everything at him from the get-go.

    “I have no idea (how many rounds), I don’t ask, I just wanna fight. I don’t care if it’s three, five; I can fight 20 rounds,” claimed Walker. “I don’t need that much (five). If this guy (Hill) wants to come with everything then I will as well, so I’m gonna finish the fight early.”

    While Walker certainly presents a unique challenge to anyone when he’s at his best and most bizarre self, Hill told MMA News he’s preparing for everything.

    Fresh off a knockout against Jimmy Crute, and having seen his rival be finished by Corey Anderson and heavily rocked by Ryan Spann, “Sweet Dreams” will have plans of his own for a quick night at UFC Vegas 48.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised in this weekend’s main event, Johnny Walker or Jamahal Hill?

  • Hill Preparing For The “Wild” Side & The “Calculated” Side Of Walker

    Jamahal Hill is looking for a crazy fight with Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 48.

    Jamahal Hill is quickly rising up the light heavyweight rankings. He has his next assignment right ahead of him when he takes on Johnny Walker this weekend at UFC Vegas 48. That fight was bumped up to the main event when the scheduled bout between Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev was pushed to another card.

    Coming into this fight with Walker, Hill doesn’t quite know what to expect. He sat down for an exclusive interview with MMA News to discuss the bout.

    “I’m expecting, I don’t know man. Honestly, I know there’s only a couple ways, one of two ways he’s gonna come in. He’s gonna come in wild and crazy, or he’s gonna come in and try and be calculated and try to set things up,” Hill said. “Those are the two things. I’m preparing for whatever, I’m preparing for everything. Because I’m not in his camp, I don’t know what he’s gonna do. I don’t know what they’re working on or what they think they see, what holes they see. I’m preparing for everything.”

    Hill is coming into this bout having won his last outing against Jimmy Crute. Prior to that win, Hill lost to Paul Craig and during the bout, suffered a nasty arm injury that kept him out of competition for a while. Now that he is back in the win column and healed up, Hill is looking to make a run for a title shot. A win over Walker could be a great way to get there.

    Walker had a great run going in the UFC and was close to a title shot himself before hitting a bit of a skid. He has now lost three of his last four and dropped to number ten in the rankings. Hill is currently sitting in the number 12 spot and, with a win over Walker, could finally break the top ten.

    Who do you see taking home the win at UFC Vegas 48, Jamahal Hill or Johnny Walker?

  • Jamahal Hill On Kamaru Usman’s LHW Ambitions: For 205, He’s Tiny

    UFC light heavyweight Jamahal Hill has given his take on a potential transition to 205 pounds for reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman.

    Usman, who dethroned Tyron Woodley in 2019 and has since defended the title five times, secured his place atop the UFC’s male pound-for-pound mountain in 2021 after a period of dominance that saw him defeat Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal (twice), and Gilbert Burns. He further cemented his #1 position with a second victory over “Chaos” last November.

    With the hope of proving his P4P superiority, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has considered pursuing gold in a second weight class. But with friend and compatriot Israel Adesanya ruling over the middleweights, light heavyweight was his target.

    In an interview with MMA News, rising 205-pound contender “Sweet Dreams” Hill gave his thoughts on the potential arrival of Usman in his weight class, as well as his upcoming clash with Johnny Walker on February 19, and the UFC 274 title fight between champion Glover Teixeira and the #2-ranked Jiří Procházka.

    Hill: “Come On In”

    Usman’s consideration for two-division glory came while Polish powerhouse Jan Blachowicz was at the top of the food chain. Despite the 38-year-old’s size and emphatic shutdown of Adesanya’s own desire for double champ status last March, the welterweight titleholder fancied his chances.

    But just like top contender Procházka, Hill doesn’t like Usman’s odds. The #12-ranked light heavyweight told MMA News that while “The Nigerian Nightmare” may be big for 170 pounds, he’d be “tiny” for 205. Nevertheless, he invited Usman to come and mix it up with the “big boys.”

    “Seems like he’s picking and choosing where you wanna fight, picking and choosing which champion you wanna fight,” Hill said to James Lynch. “You’re skipping over a whole weight class just because he’s (Israel Adesanya) your boy and shit, which is cool, I get it. But I don’t know, what am I supposed to think about it?

    “He’s small. Don’t get me wrong, welterweight he’s a big dude. But for 205? He’s fucking tiny. Anybody that feel like they wanna come play with the big boys can come on in.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYofLrkABgq/

    With his lap back around his previously beaten foes set to continue this year with a defense against Leon Edwards, Usman has certainly cleared out a hefty portion of his challenges at welterweight. With that said, a push for a fresh challenge at a new weight class seems likely.

    With his clear reluctance to share the Octagon with “The Last Stylebender,” a venture to light heavyweight could be a viable option for Usman in the near future.

    How do you think Kamaru Usman would fare at light heavyweight?

  • Jamahal Hill: Rakić Should Be Fighting For The Title Before Procházka

    UFC light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill believes Aleksandar Rakić should be challenging champion Glover Teixeira next instead of Jiří Procházka.

    While Rakić has been in the UFC since 2017, Procházka only arrived on MMA’s biggest stage last year. But in the short period of time he’s been a part of the promotion’s light heavyweight roster, “Denisa” has made a monumental impact, one that’s seen him surpass Rakić in the rankings.

    In his debut, Procházka brutally knocked out former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir on Fight Island. Having broken onto the scene in impactful fashion, the Czech star went one step further in his second appearance, breaking into title contention with an even more vicious KO, this time against Dominick Reyes.

    Not many people have secured a main event slot in just their sophomore outing, and even fewer have cemented their status as number one contender without even making three walks to the Octagon. But despite his impressive start in the UFC, not everyone believes he’s done enough to earn a spot at the front of the queue.

    According to Hill, who is tipped as a future star at 205 pounds and currently sits at #12 in the rankings, Rakić deserves to be fighting for gold next over his European peer.

    “I mean, both have a case, I guess. Me, personally, I think it should be Rakić, just because Rakić has been here longer,” Hill told The Hannibal TV. “Who’s had the most success at his weight? Who’s done the more things to put themselves into championship position? I think that’s Rakić. Jiří came in and beat two guys that were on losing streaks.”

    Rakić Will Have To Go Through A Former Champion To Reach Gold

    Since joining the UFC, Rakić has gone 6-1. However, most believe the Austrian should boast a perfect record in the promotion. His sole loss, a split decision defeat to Oezdemir in 2019, was highly controversial, and most believe he was the rightful winner.

    Since that setback, “Rocket” has got back on track with consecutive successes against former title challengers Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos. In the eyes of many, those victories, coupled with his triumphs over the likes of Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark, should have been enough to book him a date with the champion. That’s without even mentioning the suggestion that Procházka turned down offers to face the 29-year-old.

    Instead, Rakić will have to go through former champion Jan Blachowicz if he is to earn a title shot in 2022. The Polish powerhouse was dethroned by Teixeira at UFC 267 and will be looking to secure a chance at redemption by stalling the charge of his fellow European.

    The pair are set to headline the March 26 UFC Fight Night. The winner is expected to challenge the victor of the likely championship clash between Teixeira and Procházka.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXWW0DMpUsz/

    Do you agree with Jamahal Hill? Should Aleksandar Rakić be fighting for the title next instead of Jiří Procházka?

  • Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill Set To Fight Feb. 19

    Light heavyweights Johnny Walker and Jamahal Hill are set to clash on Feb. 19 at UFC Fight Night 202 in Las Vegas. 

    MMAFighting.com broke the news today that the two would be added to the February fight night, which will be the fifth event of the 2022 year.

    Walker, the 10th ranked light heavyweight, only fought once last year in a bout where he lost to former title challenger Thiago Santos via unanimous decision. Walker will be looking to get in the victory column for the first time in over a year. His last victory came on September 19, 2020, against Ryan Spann by KO.

    It was also reported that Walker has signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC. 

    As for Hill, the #12-ranked light heavyweight, he will be looking to pick up his second win in a three-month span as he was victorious in his last fight against Jimmy Crute, who he knocked out in less than a minute at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo. Prior to his last victory, Hill tasted defeat for the first time in his career as he was submitted by Paul Craig.  

    A victory for either fighter should put them a step closer to a title shot, and this fight has the potential to be a fight of the night candidate. 

    Who do you think will win between Johnny Walker and Jamahal Hill?

  • UFC Vegas 44: Font vs Aldo Weigh-In Results & Preview

    Every fighter has made weight ahead of UFC Vegas 44, including the event’s headliners, Rob Font and José Aldo.

    UFC Vegas 44 takes place Saturday, December 4, 2021, from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, Rob Font (#4) will battle José Aldo (#5). Font has candidly stated that he does not believe a win here would be enough for him to earn a title shot, yet he still expects that his jab and other tools in his arsenal will be enough to get the job done nonetheless.

    On the contrary, Aldo has a “title shot or bust” mentality for the duration of his career, and this is just another chapter in that journey. With a victory here, Aldo would prefer a bout against TJ Dillashaw next before earning a second stab at the bantamweight championship.

    In the co-main event, Rafael Fiziev will take on Brad Riddell. MMA News caught up with Fiziev prior to tomorrow’s battle. One of the things Fiziev had to say ahead of tomorrow’s contest is he views this fight as a must-win if he is to secure a strong new UFC contract. If he is victorious, he would have handed Riddell his first loss in the UFC.

    Also competing on tomorrow’s card is ranked lightweights Jimmy Crute and Jamahal Hill. Hill told MMA News that he is moving on from the brutal outcome of his previous bout against Paul Craig. Tomorrow, the world will witness how the promising young light heavyweight rebounds.

    Additionally, Brendan Allen will be taking on Chris Curtis, who is coming off a big knockout win over Phil Hawes at UFC 268. Allen spoke with MMA News about how he negotiated his own UFC contract ahead of this bout, which will be against the short-notice replacement Chris Curtis.

    MMA News also caught up with Mickey Gall ahead of his main card bout against Alex Morono. Gall believes he is a bigger killer than “The Great White” and that the world will witness this for themselves tomorrow night.

    The main card for UFC Vegas 44 begins at 10:00 PM ET, with the preliminary bouts starting at 7:00 PM. The entire card will be available on ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes.

    You can find the full weigh-in results below, courtesy of UFC.com, and you check out the video of today’s weigh-ins here, courtesy of MMA Weekly.

    UFC Vegas 44 Weigh-In Results

    Main Card

    Main Event – Bantamweight Bout: Rob Font (134) vs Jose Aldo (136)

    Co-Main Event – Lightweight Bout: Brad Riddell (155.5) vs Rafael Fiziev (155.5)

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Jimmy Crute (205.5) vs Jamahal Hill (205)

    Lightweight Bout: Clay Guida (155) vs Leonardo Santos (156)

    Middleweight Bout: Brendan Allen (185.5) vs Chris Curtis (185)

    Welterweight Bout: Alex Morono (170.5) vs Mickey Gall (170.5)

    Preliminary Card

    Middleweight Bout: Maki Pitolo (184.5) vs Dusko Todorovic (185.5)

    Flyweight Bout: Manel Kape (125.5) vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov (125.5)

    Welterweight Bout: Bryan Barberena (170.5) vs Darian Weeks (170)

    Welterweight Bout: Jake Matthews (170) vs Jeremiah Wells (170.5)

    Strawweight Bout: Cheyanne Vlismas (115.5) vs Mallory Martin (115) 

    Light Heavyweight Bout: Alonzo Menifield (205.5) vs William Knight (206)

    Lightweight Bout: Claudio Puelles (155) vs Chris Gruetzemacher (156)

    Bantamweight Bout: Louis Smolka (135.5) vs Vince Morales (135.5)

    Be sure to visit MMANews.com tomorrow full for coverage of UFC Vegas 44, including all the highlights and results from the event!