The future of the light heavyweight belt is still unknown, with fans clueless about champ Alex Pereira’s next match. However, in a recent post, the Brazilian fighter must have just affirmed who his next opponent will be: Jamahal Hill.
Pereira secured the vacant light heavyweight belt after defeating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. After this, the new champ became the target of many callouts, but “Poatan” put his focus on long-time rival Israel Adesanya, who’s still on break. However, “The Last Stylebender,” who’s still in middleweight, repeatedly showed a lack of interest in the matter.
Luckily for the Brazilian, there are lots of other choices in his current class weight, including Magomed Ankalaev, who recently called him out after defeating Johnny Walker via KO at UFC Fight Night 234.
Hill, who was forced to leave the belt last July, is also in the title conversation. Despite still being in recovery, Hill and his manager are vocal about the team’s intention to challenge the current champ once he comes back. Brian Butler, Hill’s manager, expressed confidence in getting the title shot “right away.” The UFC still hasn’t confirmed the details, but it seems Pereira agrees with the idea.
Despite the plethora of callouts from other fighters in his division, Pereira suggested favoring Hill over other options. In his recent post, the champ reiterated his plan to make two title defenses “in the shortest time possible” but said that the focus now is on Hill.
“Guys, let’s focus on what matters, which is Jamahal, and then I’ll focus on breaking another record in making two title defenses in the shortest time possible,” Pereira’s translated post reads alongside a video of him making a partial faceoff with Hill.
While this should sound like good news to clear the murky water in the light heavyweight division, the UFC still has to confirm whether Hill will indeed be Pereira’s next fight. If this is pushed, it means the bout will still be months away, with Butler also clueless about the exact timeframe of Hill’s return this year.
