Top-ranked Light Heavyweight contenders Jiri Prochazka (No. 2) and Jamahal Hill (No. 3) — both known for their finishing capabilities — set the Octagon on fire at UFC 311, which took place tonight (Sat., Jan. 18, 2025) inside Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Prochazka had only known defeat by Pereira’s hand in the last decade (twice), showcasing his resilience and skill. On the other side, Hill had been a revelation since his Contender Series days, quickly ascending to UFC gold thanks to his incredible one-punch power.
The two hard-hitting former champions — who are well within reach of reclaiming UFC gold (after this) — delivered an absolute banger, with Prochazka pouring it on late to register a chaotic back-and-forth technical knockout in round three (watch highlights).
After an intense (and lengthy) in-cage staredown, the dangerous duo went to work … after a super awkward first minute. Prochazka scored first with an overhand right, then a big left hand that put a smile on Hill’s face. Hill uncorked a big overhand right, then a knee, which had Prochazka on his backfoot. Prochazka, arms down, started to reach for Hill’s lead hand, playing a dangerous in-range game against a heavy hitter. But, it was a short left from Prochazka that put him on his butt. Hill seemed to be okay, getting back to his feet fast, and started to fire back. Prochazka ate some hard shots, and then they started to stand and bang with 90 seconds left on the clock. Prochazka scored with a front kick to the gut down the stretch, while Hill continued to struggle with distance and accuracy.
Hill started the second stanza with a high kick, but once again, couldn’t find the mark. Prochazka fired back with one of his own moments later, but it was a big left hand from Hill that got “Sweet Dreams” on the board. The action was stopped briefly for a minor (and accidental) eye poke from Prochazka, with Hill landing a nice overhand left on the restart. Big uppercut from Hill, but Prochazka fired back with a barrage of his own before he was accidentally eye-poked. Prochazka whiffed on a spinning back kick on the restart, only to get drilled with a counter right hand from Hill. Prochazka landed another big right hand, with Hill firing back in-kind. Big right hands from Hill down the stretch, perhaps catching his second wind during the multiple timeouts. Hill caught a kick, then drilled Prochazka in the mid-section, visibly hurting the Czech fighter.
In the third and final round, Prochazka stung Hill early and started to chase a finish. Hill, though, recovered fast (again) fired back off his back foot effectively. Hill landed a huge knee in the clinch, but it was a brutal one-two combination moments later that floored Hill. He was able to get back to his feet and a chaotic exchange ensued, with Hill ultimately flying across the cage after a Prochazka swarmed for the finish. Hill tried to get back to his feet again, but instead he just turtled up until referee Mike Beltran tossed Prochazka off of him to end the fight.
What a scrap!
Final result: Prochazka def. Hill via technical knockout in roung three
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