UFC 300 is only hours away and fans must be busy getting their final predictions in ahead of the event. With some phenomenal fights on show and the best fighters on the roster taking to the Octagon, the event is one for the ages. naturally, a lot of the talk for it revolves around Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill.
By now, everyone is aware of how this matchup came to be, seemingly a year since it was initially theorized. Previously, Jamahal Hill took on Glover Teixeira for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283. After a brutal and bloody back and forth, Hill was declared the winner, as Alex Pereira, who was in Texeira’s corner, looked on. Although this was before Pereira’s move up to 205, the fans made a lot of their brief interaction.
Now, more than a year later, it has come to fruition, with the two fighters set to face off for the light heavyweight title. Additionally, it makes things interesting considering Alex was the one to claim Hill’s relinquished title at UFC 295 last year. With the matchup initially slated for UFC 301 in Brazil, the lack of a better headliner promoted the UFC to make the change.
Jamahal Hill is a bad stylistic matchup for Alex Pereira
Following the initial announcement, fans were left a little underwhelmed with the matchup. With Alex Pereira being the fan favorite, and having one of the most legendary runs in combat sports, Hill was seen as a mere formality. Despite his status as a former champ, the American saw himself getting no respect from the fans or even a shout to potentially put up a fight.
Whilst Hill has always made a case for himself, the nearer the fight got, the more people started to realize why this matchup is closer than it seems. Prior to his fight against Glover Teixeira, Jamahal was coming off the back of three consecutive KO/TKO finishes off the likes of Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker, and Thiago Santos. In hindsight, Hill’s finish over the ever-durable Santos is very underrated.
Along with that, his frightening KO of Johnny Walker was a true display of his devastating power. Although Jamahal Hill’s durability has not been tested too often, Alex Pereira is not considered to have the strongest chin either. In fact, Pereira was knocked out cold by Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 and wobbled by Jiri Prochazka as well. As such, many are not too keen to imagine how he will cope with Hill’s power shots.
How have the pros and experts predicted Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill?
Without any doubt, Jamahal Hill is likely not the most skilled fighter at light heavyweight. However, his heavy hands have helped him make a strong case for himself. Upon further inspection, fan opinion over not choosing him has seemingly more to do with them preferring Alex Pereira or just not liking Hill’s personality in general. However, more neutral and analytical minds will be better poised to give a more balanced take.
According to Demetrious Johnson, Jamahal’s conviction, belief, and determination to prove everybody wrong and knock Pereira out is something that could win him the fight. Naturally, Alex is the better striker and better athlete overall. However, the disrespect from fans and even Alex to some extent has brought out this fire within Hill that could get him over the line. Unsurprisingly, even Michael Bisping has a similar take, picking Hill to reclaim his title.
Only one will leave as the LWH Champ tomorrow night 🏆@AlexPereiraUFC vs @JamahalH
[ Main Card | live TOMORROW on @ESPNPlus PPV | 10pmET/7pmPT | #UFC300 ] pic.twitter.com/z3Z2FIoDCm
— UFC (@ufc) April 12, 2024
Seeing that the fight will happen on the feet, with neither fighter willing to shy away from a firefight, it is up to Hill to nullify Pereira from chipping away at him with leg kicks. However, as Israel Adesanya suggests, everybody knows by now that Alex is good with his kicking, meaning that Hill will have prepared for it. As such, many seem to believe that barring any injury-related concerns from Jamahal Hill, he could very well be taking this fight.