Jamahal Hill goes on expletive-laden tirade on Magomed Ankalaev and makes surprising admission on Russian's title chances
Yesterday at 03:28 PM
Former UFC champ Jamahal Hill is over Magomed Ankalaev’s ongoing online antics as the two light heavyweights close in on a title shot.
Jamahal Hill will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon on the UFC’s first pay-per-view card of 2025. He hasn’t fought since suffering a knockout to Alex Pereira at UFC 300 and suffered an injury ahead of his scheduled return at UFC 303 against Khalil Rountree Jr.
Hill is looking to get back into the mix at 205lbs and potentially earn himself a future rematch with Pereira. First thing’s first for Hill, as he looks to get back in the win column and cement himself as a top light heavyweight contender.
In the meantime, Ankalaev is the most likely next title challenger for Pereira after defeating Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308. He’s on a 13-fight unbeaten streak and is aiming to right the wrong of a controversial draw he recorded against Jan Blachowicz in their vacant title bout at UFC 282.
During his ascent up the light heavyweight ladder, Ankalaev has become more animated in an attempt to better promote himself. He’s traded barbs with some of the top light heavyweights on social media, including Hill, during his rise.
Hill is done with Ankalaev’s attempts to get under his skin.
Jamahal Hill goes scorched earth on Magomed Ankalaev after recent online taunts
In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, Hill responded to Ankalaev’s recent antics in a fiery rant.
“I want to knock out Magomed just because to me, he’s a b****, and he f***ing talks like a b**** and reacts like a b****,” Hill said. “So I don’t really f*** with him much, at all, so f*** him. I’m not even talking to this weirdo, and he’s coming and trying to take shots at me because he’s so f***ing lame, and he sees that the fanbase kind of has a thing for me, so he kind of tries to ride that wave. Couple other people do that s***, but he’s the cheesiest f***ing one that does it.
“Even after they announced the Khalil Rountree fight [at UFC 307], I thought it should’ve been Magomed,” Hill continued. “So I said that, and this motherf***er is trying to talk about I was crying? Hold on, I’m just saying what I’m thinking…you want real beef? I can do beef like that, f*** you.”
Despite Hill’s disdain for Ankalaev, he acknowledges that outside of himself, the Dagestani stands the best chance in the 205lb division to dethrone Pereira.
“Alex is a forward, pressure fighter…leaves himself exposed to counters. Ankalaev counters with combinations, so there will be openings for him there to land,” Hill admitted. “Plus, Ankalaev’s a southpaw, so that’s another factor of the puzzle that he’s going to have to figure out…I give Ankalaev a big chance at winning it, just because of the style he fights…he draws things out.”
Ankalaev is one of the few top light heavyweight contenders yet to face Pereira. After defeating Rountree at UFC 307, which made a cageside Hill bored, Pereira will likely face Ankalaev for his next title defense.
Jamahal Hill faces a former light heavyweight champ in UFC 311 return
Hill and Jiří Procházka will clash in a high-profile light heavyweight bout at UFC 311 in Los Angeles. The winner could potentially earn themselves another title shot against the Pereira vs. Ankalaev winner, assuming the UFC finalizes the title fight.
Hill is looking to reclaim the form that led him to the light heavyweight throne, defeating the likes of Glover Teixeira and Thiago Santos on his way up the ranks. His UFC 283 victory over Teixeira for the then-vacant title stands as his most recent victory.
Time will tell if Hill and Ankalaev come face-to-face in the Octagon. In the meantime, tensions are reaching a boiling point, especially from Hill’s perspective.
