Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is ready for a fresh start, and he believes that future lies in the heavyweight division.
After months of speculation about his next move, Hill officially announced that he is leaving the 205-pound division behind and setting his sights on heavyweight gold.
The former champion revealed the news during a recent episode of his podcast, explaining that he has already begun preparing his body for the move.
“I’m gonna go ahead and say it now: I’m going to heavyweight,” Hill announced. “That’s the announcement. Breaking news. So, I’m officially going to say it. I’m going to heavyweight.”
“It’s been something I’ve been working on now for a few months, putting on the necessary weight and putting on the muscle and everything like that to move up. Yeah, wouldn’t it be better if I came back and won the heavyweight title? I think double champ is better than two-time champ. I like the way it sounds.”
The decision does not come as a complete surprise. Throughout his career, Jamahal Hill has often carried significant weight between fights, making the cut to 205 pounds increasingly difficult. After spending his entire UFC run at light heavyweight, the move to heavyweight represents a new chapter for the former titleholder.
While many fighters would prefer a gradual introduction to a new division, Hill already has a specific opponent in mind for his heavyweight debut.
That opponent is rising heavyweight contender Josh Hokit. Hokit has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in the division following a string of impressive performances, including his recent victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250. His outspoken personality and undefeated record have turned him into one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars.
“As far as Hokit goes, that’s what I want. That’s exactly the fight I want,” Hill said.“I didn’t even really know about him before he fought Curtis Blaydes, shoutout to him for making a name for himself. I have no problems with the antics at all. But yeah, 100 percent, Josh Hokit is a fight I want as my heavyweight debut. Why not? Former UFC champion, come on. Come get some.”
Hill also provided an update on his expected return timeline after undergoing knee surgery late last year.
The former champion has not competed since dropping a unanimous decision to Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC Baku. That loss followed defeats to Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka, leaving Hill on the first three-fight skid of his professional career.
Despite the setbacks, Hill remains focused on returning stronger and making an immediate impact in his new division.
“I don’t want to give a for-sure timeline,” Hill explained. “I would really like to fight on the MSG card. If not, maybe headlining one of the cards toward the end of the year or something like that.”
“That’s the plan, to come back in 2026. If they can’t figure anything out with that, beginning of the year, first quarter, right at the beginning for sure.”
The heavyweight division is currently undergoing significant changes, with several former light heavyweight contenders making the jump, including Alex Pereira, Johnny Walker, and Aleksandar Rakic.
For Jamahal Hill, the move presents an opportunity to reinvent himself after a difficult stretch at 205 pounds. Rather than chasing a second reign as light heavyweight champion, Hill has his eyes set on something even bigger.
If everything goes according to plan, the former champion could soon find himself chasing history in a second weight class—and potentially standing across the Octagon from Josh Hokit in one of the division’s most intriguing matchups.
