Alex Pereira officially defended his UFC light heavyweight title for the first time last night (Sat., April 13, 2024) at UFC 300 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, stopping former division king Jamahal Hill with a blistering first-round knockout (punches).
Hill relied on whipping leg kicks early on to score some damage, while Pereira countered with straight punches to the body. It took a few minutes for Pereira to truly open up on his feet, but once he did he launched a perfectly-timed left hook that clipped Hill under the chin. Hill fell backwards onto the canvas and Pereira followed up with heavy hammer fists. Hill was out cold by the time referee Herb Dean finally made it over.
Pereira, who came into this fight as a slight betting favorite, looked completely stoic in his first light heavyweight title defense. He never changed emotion the entire fight and simply followed his gameplan to find a home for his strongest attack. It was a great way to end a historic night of fights at UFC 300.
Check out the final moments below:
Coming back for the throne @JamahalH | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/g1juQKErtt
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
Poatan is ready to go @AlexPereiraUFC | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/nBImrGx4pS
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
AAAAAND STILLLLLLL
ALEX PEREIRA KNOCKS OUT JAMAHAL HILL IN THE FIRST ROUND @SpinninBackfist #UFC300pic.twitter.com/61JYflSajD
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 14, 2024
Do your thing Poatan, do your thing @AlexPereiraUFC | #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/1xkjLtvgAE
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
For complete UFC 300 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.