Jamahal Hill moves up to heavyweight and targets a debut against Josh Hokit
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has announced that he will move up in weight and compete at heavyweight. The decision follows a path already trodden by Alex Pereira – and not by chance: Hill openly admits the influence of the Brazilian, who this weekend fought for the interim heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane.
The decision and the reasoning behind it
Hill made the announcement on his YouTube channel, with no beating around the bush: “I’ll say it now: I’m going to heavyweight. That’s the announcement. It’s official.” According to him, the transition had been in preparation for months, with muscle mass gains and the physical adjustments needed for the new category.
The logic is simple – and somewhat ambitious. Hill wants what no heavyweight has today: to come from below, move up a division and win a second belt in a different one. “Wouldn’t it be better to come back and win the heavyweight title? Double champion is better than two-time champion in the same category,” he stated. He is right about at least one thing: it sounds better.
Three straight losses and a knee injury
The change does not come at a moment of ascent. Hill has been in free fall since losing to Pereira at UFC 300, back in 2024. There were three consecutive defeats – the most recent, a decision loss to Khalil Rountree Jr. in June of last year. After that came a knee injury, a prolonged absence and silence.
His return to the octagon is expected for late 2026 or early 2027. That is a long spell out. But Hill sees the timing as an advantage: he comes back refreshed, in a new weight class, against opponents who have not had time to analyze him.
The target: Josh Hokit
Hill already has a name in mind for his debut. Josh Hokit, who this same weekend knocked out Derrick Lewis at UFC White House and came out calling for a fight with Pereira, is the target. Hill rules out that bout happening. “Alex has no reason to give him that fight,” the American said – and then placed himself as the natural destination for the matchup.
“One hundred percent, Josh Hokit is the fight I want for my heavyweight debut. Former UFC champion versus a rising contender. Let’s make it happen.” The proposal makes sense on both sides: Hokit needs a relevant name to cement his bid, and Hill needs a win that justifies the whole narrative of the move up.
The parallel with Pereira is inevitable, but it has limits. “Poatan” went straight up to fight for the interim title. Hill is coming back from injury, with a record stained by three straight setbacks, and still has to prove that his physique supports the ambition. The idea is good. The execution is yet to be tested.
