Jamahal Hill moves to Heavyweight, targets Josh Hokit for debut fight

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Jamahal Hill prepares to face Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Jamahal Hill is following Alex Pereira’s footsteps. This past weekend, Pereira made his official move up to heavyweight, losing to Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House. And while he’s not going to be fighting for the title immediately like “Poatan” did, Hill says he’s also jumping up in weight. “I’m gonna go ahead and say it now: I’m going to heavyweight,” Hill announced on his YouTube channel. “That’s the announcement. Breaking news. I’m officially going to say it. I’m going to heavyweight. It’s been something I’ve been working on now for a few months, putting on the necessary weight and putting on the muscle and everything like that to move up.” Like Pereira, Hill is a former light heavyweight champion, though he’s on a run of bad form since losing to Pereira at UFC 300. Hill has lost three straight, including most recently dropping a decision to Khalil Rountree Jr. last June. Hill has been out of action since then due to a knee injury, but he anticipates a return by the end of 2026 or early 2027, and he believes that lines up perfectly for his heavyweight debut. “Wouldn’t it be better if I came back and won the heavyweight title?” Hill said. “I think double champ is better than two-time champ. I like the way it sounds. And as far as Hokit goes, that’s what I want. That’s exactly the fight I want.” Hokit also competed this past weekend, stopping Derrick Lews in an undercard bout at UFC White House. Afterward, Hokit called for a fight with Pereira — a bout he’s been lobbying for over the past few months — despite Pereira’s loss. But Hill says that’s unlikely to happen, so he would make perfect sense instead. “He’s not going to get Alex,” Hill said. “Alex has no reason to give him that fight. … 100 percent, Josh Hokit is the fight that I want for my UFC heavyweight debut. Why not? Former UFC champion. Come on. … “I think what’s next for Josh Hokit is me. I think I’m next. I think we should run it next. Let’s run that. I’m coming up to heavyweight. That’s one I want. We should definitely run that.” TOP STORIES Terrorism. Report: FBI stopped violent terrorist plot aimed at UFC White House, Donald Trump responds. Damage. Report: Ilia Topuria injuries revealed following UFC White House loss. Deal. Conor McGregor confirms 2 fights left on UFC deal, final fight set for April 2027. Loss. Matt Brown argues Ilia Topuria suffered ‘potential life-changing’ loss at UFC White House: ‘He may not come back the same.’ Referee. Alex Pereira releases first statement since UFC White House loss, blasts referee for missing illegal strikes: ‘He is not a man.’ Mistake. Justin Gaethje’s coach reveals mistake Ilia Topuria made at UFC White House. Recap. UFC White House Report: Did UFC Freedom 250 live up to the hype? VIDEO STEW On to the Next One. Matchmaking the big winners (and a couple of losers) from UFC White House. UFC White House post-fight show. UFC White House post-fight press conference. Re-live the magic of UFC White House. Your boy was on Submission Radio. FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR The Fighter vs. The Writer. Damon Martin and Matt Brown break down the events of UFC White House, including Justin Gaethje’s stunning performance to dethrone Ilia Topuria, Ciryl Gane’s domination of Alex Pereira, what should be next for Michael Chandler, and more. SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE The best knockouts of the week. 🧵Hilo con los mejores KOs/TKOs de la semana. Top 10 — Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) June 16, 2026 Crazy, right? For the first time since Conor McGregor beating Eddie Alvarez in 2016, the lightweight title was lost in the cage. – McGregor and Tony stripped in 2017 – Khabib retired in 2020 – Oliveira stripped after missing weight – Islam vacates and moves to 170 Ilia Topuria is the first… pic.twitter.com/hbgzjljpAS — Blaine Henry (@BlaineHenryTFL) June 15, 2026 I don’t believe in these sorts of things, buuuuuuut View this post on Instagram Fight Week! FIGHT WEEK🔥#UFCVegas119 pic.twitter.com/oUeFIJzIdS — 堀口恭司 Kyoji Horiguchi (@kyoji1012) June 16, 2026 Starboy take over at the ballpark! ⭐️⚾️@ManelKape threw out the first pitch before the @Athletics took the field in Las Vegas last week! [ #UFCVegas119 | SAT JUNE 20 | 8pmET LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/onFwng30TD — UFC (@ufc) June 17, 2026 White House. What an amazing weekend. Truly grateful and more inspired than ever!! #ufcfreedom250 Congratulations to my dawg @Justin_Gaethje a true legend 👊🏿⚔️ pic.twitter.com/tP1fXFNAmn — KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) June 17, 2026 This is an extremely minority opinion. The World Cup just doesn’t quite have the same impact — LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) June 16, 2026 FEED ME MORE THE GFL IS BACK FINAL THOUGHTS We needed a couple of mornings off there to recover from UFC White House, but The Morning Report is back! And with a return to the Apex (Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi headlining in a warehouse???) just around the corner! Let’s rock! EXIT POLL If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKLee of @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and like us on Facebook.

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“Sweet Dreams” is moving up. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is joining the recent trend of 205-pound fighters moving up to Heavyweight, bailing on the division where he once held UFC gold. “I’m gonna go ahead and say it now: I’m going to Heavyweight,” Hill announced on his podcast. “That’s […]

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Former UFC champion Jamahal Hill will seek new life at heavyweight, and he's got just the opponent in mind for his debut.