April 13th marks the 3rd century of UFC title fights since the company began in 1993 and Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill sits atop this monumental anniversary, driven to punctuate the card by reclaiming the title he never lost.
Since the formation of the UFC, the sport has evolved from the taboo cage fighting to Mixed-Martial-Arts, a now respected sport. Despite the differences from the early years, one thing has prevailed. The spectacle of two combatants exchanging 4 oz’s of leather amidst the confines of a blood-soaked octagon.
UFC 300 lives up to its historical significance with a talent-rich event littered with future Hall-Of-Famers including 11 former champions. Competition is at an all-time high where each weight division is littered with elite prospects all surgical in their approach to incapacitation. More than just a Pay-per-view UFC 300 is a milestone. A milestone rightfully headlined by a Colosseum-worthy throwdown.
Alex “Poatan” Pereira versus Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill.
Hill’s Skill’s
Former Interim Light-Heavyweight champion Jamahal ‘Sweet Dreams’ Hill (12-1-0) adheres to his nickname. As advertised 58% of “Sweet Dreams” wins have come by knockout. Many great foes have fallen victim to his sleep-inducing weapons such as: Johnny Walker, Thiago Santos and Ovince Saint-Preux. Jamahal is an avid striker who has yet to initiate grappling in the UFC. Having never attempted a takedown and holding a 73% takedown defence Hill makes his intentions clear.
Jamahal Hill burst to the top brushing aside everyone in his way stacking up a 5-0 win streak to garner the attention of Dana White. Impressed with what he saw White welcomed Hill to “Dana Whites Contender Series”. Hill did not falter on the opportunity flattening Alexander Poppeck inside two rounds to earn himself a UFC contract. Now 8-0 exhibiting his expertise in violence Jamahal met his match when he fought Paul “Bear Jew” Craig in 2021. Jamahal’s abstinence from grappling proved to be justified when it took “Bear Jew” just 2 minutes to pull guard and dislocate the arm of Hill.
With Jamahal tasting defeat for the first time, it was evidently unsavoury. This wakeup call sparked a lust for greatness in Hill kickstarting a 4 fight-win streak and leading the Chicago-born fighter to the top of the division.
Jamahal Hill got his hands on UFC gold at UFC 283 in Rio De Janeiro. Hill spoilt the party for Brazil’s own Glover Teixeira rendering the home-countryman unrecognisable in a dominant unanimous decision beatdown.
A Short-Lived Reign
Squaring up against an elite grappler in Teixeira and winning, Jamahal highlighted he is not just a knockout specialist but a well-rounded mixed martial artist. The flawless performance reignited the stagnating Light-Heavyweight division with a fresh face. After the back-and-forth brawl Glover shared with former Light-Heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka, it seemed ‘Sweet Dreams’ was a cut above the rest.
Unfortunately, the seemingly reignited Light-Heavyweight division would return to its previous state. Jamahal Hill relinquished the belt 6 months into his reign unable to add any defences to his resume. In July 14th 2023 Hill announced that he ruptured his Achilles in a game of basketball with fellow fighters at UFC International Fight Week.
Since then, the belt has bounced around between fighters, landing around the waist of a man hungry for revenge.
Vengeance of the Protégé
The 22nd of January 2023 is forever branded into the memory of Alex “Poatan” Pereira as the day he witnessed the gruesome decimation of his master through a wire enclosure at the hands of future foe Hill. Revenge is on the agenda and though there is no bad blood, Pereira certainly has not forgotten the events of UFC 283.
Brazilian striker Alex “Poatan” Pereira (9-2-0) holds arguably the most triumphant rise of any MMA fighter. He trains out of Teixeira MMA & Fitness under head coach, veteran and former Light-Heavyweight champion Glover Teixiera. Teixeira’s guidance, along with Alex’s signature left hook’s otherworldly devastation has assisted him in becoming two-division UFC champion after just 2 years in the company. The Brazilian’s stone-cold stare and gladiatorial aura complement his vicious knockout credentials. Although Alex Pereira’s fighting style promotes itself, his rise to UFC champion was facilitated by former kickboxing enemy Israel Adesanya. After clearing out the division Adesanya bravely called for a fight with Pereira. This call-out granted Pereira the route to the top he needed finishing Israel Adesanya by TKO in the fifth round.
Granting Adesanya the rematch would ultimately backfire for Pereira with Israel reclaiming his Middleweight strap via knockout. After losing his newly won Middleweight prize Alex Pereira saw his opportunity for a championship reign elsewhere. With Jamahal Hill out of the picture through injury, Poatan moved to 205lbs. Alex did not wait around to become 205 champ beating former champions Jan Blachowiz and Jiri Prochazka four months apart. Now Light-Heavyweight champion Pereira has a taste for revenge. He plans to avenge the loss of his master this weekend at UFC 300.
Will Protégé Pereira get revenge on the returning former champion Jamahal Hill?
UFC 300: Pereira vs Hill Breakdown
The word “Poatan” translates to ‘hands of stone’. Both Hill and Pereira’s nicknames are a fitting summary of what is likely to unfold at UFC 300. Needless to say, these fighters do not intend on grappling. Both parties have expressed their desire to knock their opponent out. Both parties are more than capable of doing so.
Pereira has showed through his UFC bouts that everything he throws is incapacitating. His power is not limited to the left hook, Pereira has claimed the calves of almost every fighter hes faced. The danger of Alex’s kicks cannot be ignored by Hill and if the leg kicks pile up, it could be a quick night at the office for “Poatan”. Not to mention the invaluable advice relayed from head coach Glover Teixeiera, Pereira will be clued in on some of Hill’s tricks.
Despite unleashing a flurry of high kicks against Glover Teixeira, Jamahal Hill’s hands are his forte. It is essential that “Sweet Dreams” stays out of the kicking range and keeps his chin tucked. Noting Pereira’s knockout loss to Adesanya, if Hill lands flush Light-Heavyweight gold will return to the United States.Additionally, Jamahal Hill began training MMA in 2010, long before Alex. Just because he doesn’t initiate grappling doesn’t mean he can’t. Pereira is no Paul Craig. If things start swaying “Poatan’s” way we may see our first Jamahall Hill takedown.
This weekend we find out who will be wishing their opponent “Sweet Dreams”?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
