Today, Jamahal Hill announced on his YouTube channel that he would be relinquishing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Hill stated that he suffered a ruptured Achilles that will require surgery. Therefore, the UFC Light Heavyweight Title is now vacant.
“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. 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.
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.”
H/T MMAJunkie
MMAFighting has reported that Hill sustained the injury during a basketball game with several fighters on the eve of UFC 290 in Las Vegas.
Jamahal Hill captured the UFC Light Heavyweight Title by defeating Glover Teixeira via unanimous decision at UFC 283 in January.
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