Jamahal Hill, the UFC light heavyweight champion, has announced that he will vacate his title after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. Hill revealed the news on his YouTube channel on Thursday night, saying that he will need surgery and a long recovery period.
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According to MMA Fighting, the MMA fighter got this injury while playing in a basketball game between several fighters that took place ahead of UFC 290 in Las Vegas. Hill mentioned that he wants the division to 'keep moving forward and not hold it up'. The 32-year-old said on his Youtube Channel, “I’ve ruptured my Achilles. … It’s just one of those things that happen. It’s one that will require surgery and time and rehab and things to be out for a while.”
Hill said he decided to follow the example of former champion Jiri Prochazka, who gave up the belt in January after testing positive for COVID-19. Hill said he wanted to keep the division moving and give other fighters a chance to compete for the title.
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He said, “Jiri Prochazka was the champion. He suffered an injury, as these things happen and he had to – he gave up the belt and allowed for others to not hold the division up, to keep the division moving forward to make sure the people had a champion. I’ll do the same.”
Hill(12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) had defeated Glover Teixeira (33-9 MMA, 16-7 UFC) to win the UFC light heavyweight title via unanimous decision. He was expected to face Prochazka in his next fight, but that bout will have to be postponed. Hill will now need surgery to correct the damage before a comeback date can be established.
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The typical healing period for a ruptured Achilles tends to be eight to twelve months, however, this might vary depending on rehabilitation. The UFC has not officially confirmed Hill's injury or his decision to relinquish the title but according to ESPN, the promotion is likely to make Blachowicz vs. Pereira for the vacant belt at UFC 293 in October.
