UFC Event 311 Highlights Jamahal Hill's Appetite for a Bout against Jiri Prochazka
UFC Event 311 Highlights Jamahal Hill's Appetite for a Bout against Jiri Prochazka
Ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill makes his return to the Octagon after over nine months, taking on another former champ Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311. Hill is eager to bounce back from his disappointing outing in his last fight.
Hill (12-2) last fought at UFC 300, where he faced UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the night's main event. The encounter ended poorly for Hill as Pereira kO'ed him at the 3:14 mark of the first round.
This matchup was Hill's first fight since he secured a decision victory over Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in January 2023, in the UFC 283 main event, claiming the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in the process.
Hill's title reign was short-lived. He reportedly sustained an Achilles injury, allegedly during a basketball game, as he waited for a title defense against Prochazka, who was recovering from shoulder surgery.
“Everyone knows that I’ve been waiting for months now to face Jiri Prochazka and defend my belt and my title – unfortunately we’re going to have to wait a bit,” Hill said on his YouTube channel. “I’ve ruptured my Achilles. ... It’s just one of those things that happens. It’s one that will require surgery and time and rehab and things to be out for a while.”
Upon making his return, the UFC scheduled a short-notice main event between Pereira and Hill for UFC 300.
UFC 311: Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill
As UFC 311 approaches, Prochazka (30-5-1) ranks No. 2 in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings, while Hill is positioned at No. 3. Prochazka, like his opponent, enters the event following a TKO loss to Pereira in a title fight. That bout took place at UFC 303, with Pereira stopping the contest in the second round.
Hill recently commented on the upcoming matchup with WOOD TV8.
“We’ve been on a collision course for a while now, and now it’s our time to meet and see who takes the next step forward,” Hill stated.
The ex-champ also reflected on his injury, recovery, and loss to Pereira.
“I don’t like to make excuses, but was I 100 percent where I needed to be as far as the injury goes? I mean, anybody who’s had an Achilles surgery or knows anything about Achilles surgery, nine months isn’t ideal,” Hill said. “But ultimately, I took the fight. I banked on myself and went in ready to fight. So, what happened, happened.”
“I’m extremely hungry to get back,” Hill added. “I’m feeling better. I’m feeling closer to where I was pre any of the injuries. It’s all starting to come back together, come back into form, and I’m just excited to get back in.”
“... I’m in a good spot. The bounce in my legs is coming back very, very well, and I haven’t really thought about my Achilles for a while now. The knee injury has not been as bothersome. I feel like we’re in a really good place to come out and put on a great performance.”
UFC 311: Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill Opening Odds
According to BetOnline, the opening odds had Hill as the -130 betting favorite over Prochazka, who came in at +110.
Today, Prochazka is -120, while Hill is +110.
UFC 311 Full Fight Card
UFC 311 PPV Card
Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano
Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill
Kevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder
UFC 311 Preliminary card
Johnny Walker vs. Bogdan Guskov
Payton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos
Jailton Almeida vs.Serghei Spivac
Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas
UFC 311 Early Preliminary Card
Grant Dawson vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Karol Rosa vs. Ailín Pérez
Rinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov
Ricky Turcios vs. Bernardo Sopaj
Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter
*UFC 311 fight card is subject to change.
UFC 311, marking the initial fight event on UFC's 2025 calendar, is slated for January 18, 2025 at Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California. The pay-per-view segment commences at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV, post the prelims on ESPN2 and the early prelims on ESPN+.
More details on UFC 311: Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill will be coming your way as the event date draws closer.
In his return to the UFC, Jamahal Hill will be facing Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311, aiming to bounce back from his knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300. Hill stated, "We've been on a collision course for a while now, and now it's our time to meet and see who takes the next step forward."
Jiri Prochazka, ranked No. 2 in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings, also enters UFC 311 following a TKO loss to Alex Pereira in a title fight. This will be their first encounter in the UFC, as their previous bouts were both title fights involving Pereira.