Jamahal Hill Should Be Next For Alex Pereira, But Magomed Ankalaev Is In Contention

Jamahal Hill should be first in line to fight UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira

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Jamahal Hill should get next title shot at Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev knocked out Johnny Walker in impressive fashion this past Saturday night.

If it looked vaguely familiar, it is because Jamahal Hill accomplished the same feat, defeating Walker by KO in February of 2022. Despite Ankalaev’s win, Hill is the one who stands next in line for light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. That would make for a nice addition to the International Fight Week card at the end of June, which is supposed to feature the return of Conor McGregor.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

But a new contender has emerged, and if Hill needs more time to recover from a torn Achilles tendon, then Ankalaev will get the next crack at the belt. Ankalaev looked extremely precise in his victory on Saturday, re-establishing himself as a title contender. Pereira’s team, led by Glover Teixeira, is open to the bout.

Great knockout. We will see u soon. #UFCFightNight

— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) January 14, 2024

Hill is the more dangerous opponent. Ankalaev has strengths with his grappling and striking, but Pereira can match him in both. Hill, however, has the type of power that is foreign to the middleweight division, and even Jiri Prochazka cannot match. A healthy Hill is a real threat for Pereira, which shows in the way his team is eager to embrace a bout with seemingly anyone but him.

Interest is building in the light heavyweight division, and it will only intensify once Hill returns and gets his shot at a title he never lost.

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Jim Miller continues his winning ways

Jim Miller won again this past Saturday, collecting his fourth victory in his past five fights when he submitted Gabriel Benítez at UFC Fight Night.

The next stop for Miller? UFC 300.

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Miller mentioned three potential opponents for the big fight card in April. The first is Paul Felder, who retired in 2021 but re-entered the UFC’s anti-doping program and would be eligible to fight in April. Miller also mentioned Matt Brown, who is second all-time in knockouts in UFC history, trailing only Derrick Lewis by only one KO. The third is the most unlikely, yet worth a shot, as Miller also called out Brock Lesnar.

Lesnar is likely not returning for Miller. As compelling as it would be to see Miller against Brown, a bout against a returning Felder is the one to make for 300.

Miller’s win against Benítez increased his record for most wins in the UFC to 26. His 18 finishes in the Octagon trail only Charles Oliveira’s 20. A career that began in 2005 will end with an induction into the UFC Hall of Fame, though there is still more for Miller to accomplish.

Like a fine wine, Miller keeps getting better with age. At the age of 40, Miller keeps raising his stock with this string of victories, taking him on a direct path to UFC 300.

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Sean Strickland makes first title defense at UFC 297

Sean Strickland makes his first defense of the middleweight title this Saturday against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297.

Strickland has already overcome the odds by becoming champion. He now faces a whole new slate of challenges as he defends the belt.

Du Plessis applies a tremendous amount of pressure. That is going to be problematic for Strickland, especially considering the challenger’s combination of cardio and power.

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

But Strickland proved in his win over Israel Adesanya that he cannot be overlooked. He has an extremely smart coaching staff, and he will need to be careful about how he attacks someone as dangerous, and forward-moving, as du Plessis.

Though it is still strange to see a title fight in this division not feature Israel Adesanya, this is a very exciting main event for 297.