Former UFC champion Jamahal Hill made his first public comments since a knockout loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311.
Jamahal Hill's attempt to earn another shot at UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira led to a huge setback at UFC 311 against former titleholder Jiri Prochazka. In a wild light-heavyweight matchup on the UFC 311 main card, Prochazka overcame some early power shots from Hill and finished him in the third round of the fight.
Hill has now lost back-to-back fights by knockout since winning the then-vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283. Before UFC 311, he lost to Pereira by first-round knockout after a 15-month hiatus due to an injury.
Despite the disappointing setback, and initially feeling the loss, Hill quickly turned the page on the loss and even shared a humorous post-fight moment with a Prochazka fan. Two days after a difficult night at UFC 311, Hill addressed his fans and supporters in his first post-fight statement.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Jamahal Hill reacts to UFC 311 performance in first post-fight statement
In a recent Instagram post, Hill shared a video of himself getting drinks with Prochazka after the fight as he addressed his followers for the first time since UFC 311.
“First of all, congratulations [Jiri Prochazka] you made great adjustments and gave me a great fight!!!” Placed on a hill. “I would like to thank everyone who has reached out with love and support. I really appreciate you all!!! My fire has never burned hotter or brighter for my future and growth!! Fighting the elite of the elite is an honor and a blessing that I don't take for granted and yes it comes with some hard lessons but this is my journey and I am going to right the course!!!
“Negative and hate are from those who know where they stand below you and want to bring you down to their level!! My head is high, my heart is full and I can't wait for my time to shine again Sweet Dreams Nation, we move forward and forward!!!”
Prochazka bounced back from a short-lived rematch loss to Pereira at UFC 303 last June. Now he has set his sights on a third fight with Pereira, who will face Magomed Ankalaev in his next title defense at UFC 313.
Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka calm the pre-fight intensity with a toast after UFC 311
As for Hill, he will look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats for the first time in his professional MMA career. Before his continued losing skid, Hill had not lost since a TKO loss to Paul Craig at UFC 263, which sparked a four-fight winning streak capped by his UFC 283 title win.
Just days out from UFC 311, Hill is starting to look towards an eventual return to the Octagon, with several intriguing names potentially suiting up for his next opponent. Khalil Rountree Jr., who Hill was scheduled to face at UFC 303 before both sides withdrew for various reasons, may be fit after his title loss to Pereira in October.
In the meantime, Hill is still dealing with the heartache that comes with defeat under the massive spotlight, and his classy moment after the fight with Prochazka shows he's taking all things UFC 311 positively.
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