Jamahal Hill’s reign as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion was short-lived after “Sweet Dreams” suffered an unfortunate injury, tearing his Achilles in mid-2023 which required surgery and subsequent months of rehab.
As a result of the injury — which came just six months after he won the vacant strap by defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 — Hill opted to vacate his title to prevent the division from stalling. In turn, Alex Pereira won the vacant title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 (see it again here).
Now seven months removed from surgery, Hill is on the comeback and could be returning to action in the summer of 2024. That’s according to his manager, Brian Butler, who told MMA Junkie Radio that Hill’s recovery is going as planned.
“He’s coming along well. I am not a doctor and I am not in a position to speak as to how quickly he can come back, and I think it’s a little preemptive now to put any dates on that. But his goal is to come back in and around that time (of International Fight Week).
“But I just don’t know. But I do know he’s working hard. He’s moved to Vegas and he’s staying there to utilize the (UFC Performance Institute) and the services there with the outstanding team there that is helping him recover.”
As far as shot at reclaiming the 205-pound strap he left behind, Butler revealed that “Sweet Dreams” will fight for the title straight away, regardless of who is sitting on the throne at the time of his return.
“No (there won’t be a warmup fight). He gets a title shot right away.”
Hill is currently on a four-fight win streak and is 6-1-1 so far in his UFC career. As for Pereira, he currently does not have his first title defense lined up, but with UFC 300 set for April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, “Poatan” could very well be added to that card if matchmakers are looking to go big.