UFC 283: Jeunesse Arena; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
They say be careful for what you wish for, because you might just get it. And everyone’s wish is to be a champion. Well now the hunter becomes the hunted as Jamahal Hill whitewashes Glover Teixeira to become the new light heavyweight champion in a 50-44 unanimous decision.
Now can it be assumed that the 31-year old will have a long title reign? It’s hard to imagine it, as that’s a belt that has looked more like a hot potato. But he leveled up big time from where he was. He’s the first Dana White Contender Series fighter to wear a strap. As he told DANIEL CORMIER post fight:
“From where I came from to get to this, this is unreal”.
It’s not that Teixeira had nothing either. He attacked with leg kicks, but got away from it. He also rolled with a lot of the strikes, but most of Hill’s arsenal was just too much. Hill landed a personal record 232 significant strikes. Which was more than a 3-1 advantage. The huge disadvantage for Teixeira was that he had 15 of 17 takedowns stuffed.
Hill’s Gameplan Now As The Hunter Becomes The Hunted
As much as he leveled up, it’s only his first step on the yellow brick road. He needs a lot more, and he’s about to find that out. Hill’s on a four-fight win streak now since his loss to Paul Craig at UFC 263. He’ll need this incredible takedown defense and cardio that he showed. Because fighters like Magomed Ankalaev and Jiri Prochazka can easily match him step for step. And Jan Blachowicz isn’t far off.
Hill managed his range well thanks to t kicks and an impressive jab from both hands. He used his uppercuts efficiently and knees in the clinch. With everyone in this group around the same age and build, he’s going to need to call on those skills again and again. And start to hide them in his attacks.
It would be interesting to see if he was able to take them down and do any damage. All those in this grouping also have above average chins as well. Add to this one other too. Teixeira retiring opens up the opportunity now for Alex Pereira to go for champ-champ status… say the final card of 2023. What you can say is the turnover at 205 is in full swing for the UFC.
However, if looking at the bigger picture; the best light heavyweight in MMA might just be sitting in BELLATOR… Vadim Nemkov.
For all your sports news, head to: Belly Up Sports. And to see all things CYCLONE, go no further than: Facebook.
