Jamahal Hill opens up on giving up UFC light heavyweight title after ruptured achilles tendon

On 14 July 2023, Jamahal Hill came up with a surprise announcement for his fans and he confirmed that he has sustained a ruptured achilles. Hence, he will give up his title and there will be no longer a champion in the UFC light heavyweight division. Hill also confirmed that surgery is required also.

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While speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Everyone knows that I’ve been waiting for months now to face Jiri Prochazka and defend my belt and my title – unfortunately we’re going to have to wait a little bit.” According to MMAFighting.com, he suffered the injury during a basketball game with UFC and MMA fighters in Las Vegas.

“I need to take some time and focus on my health” - Jamahal Hill 

“I’ve ruptured my achilles. … It’s just one of those things that happens. It’s one that will require surgery and time and rehab and things to be out for a while. Also, with that, I was given an opportunity. I was given an opportunity. 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,” he further added.

“Right now, the biggest thing is focusing on my recovery, focusing on getting back to 100 percent. I need to take some time and focus on my health and make sure that I’m 100 and make sure I’m the fighter that everyone knows I am. In order to do that, I need to focus on getting ready and rehabbing. On my road to recovery, I’ve been promised that I will fight for my title immediately as soon as I am able. As well as the other things that come with that. Yeah, man. It’s just part of the story,” Hill said. However, it will be the fourth time in the last five years the title in the weight class has been vacant.