Alex Pereira’s got an eye on Jamahal Hill, and it’s not just because of his fight record. He thinks Hill’s heart could be his secret weapon, even more than experience or slick moves.
So, Pereira’s gearing up to defend his title against Hill at UFC 300. This showdown’s happening in Vegas, at the T-Mobile Arena, this Saturday. It’s a big deal for Pereira, marking his fourth UFC title fight in just 18 months. And get this, it’s only his 12th time stepping into the MMA ring.
But don’t let those numbers fool you. Pereira’s no newbie to the fight game. He’s been throwing punches and kicks in combat sports for over a decade. His kickboxing record? Impressive. Before moving to MMA, he knocked out 21 of his opponents in professional kickboxing. “Poatan” or “Stone Hands,” as they call him, even snagged two titles at once in Glory Kickboxing.
On the flip side, Jamahal Hill’s resume might seem a bit thin with only 13 MMA fights since 2017. But Pereira’s not underestimating “Sweet Dreams.” He knows too well from his kickboxing days that it’s not just about how many fights you’ve had. It’s about heart, grit, and non-stop cardio. And Hill, according to Pereira, has heart in spades.
“I respect him a lot,” Pereira said in an ESPN chat. He’s faced guys in kickboxing who, despite not being the most experienced, brought a ton of heart to the ring. And that made them tough opponents. Pereira sees that same heart in Hill.
Hill’s journey to MMA is a story itself. He could’ve gone the NCAA basketball route but chose MMA in 2010. Starting with a bang, he notched five straight wins, one against a fighter with 27 bouts under his belt. Then, a knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 shot him into the UFC, where he’s been tearing it up with a 5-1-1 record.
Hill’s big moment came when he took the title from Pereira’s teammate, Glover Texeira, at UFC 283. But fate’s a funny thing. Hill had to give up the belt after tearing his Achilles playing basketball. Just goes to show, in this game, anything can happen.