Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill is ready for a fresh start, and a much bigger challenge. Speaking on his podcast What You Think, Hill revealed that he plans to move up to heavyweight for the next chapter of his career, already targeting surging contender Josh Hokit for his debut in the division.
With hopes of returning as early as the UFC’s annual Madison Square Garden card, Hill believes a run at heavyweight gold could redefine his legacy inside the Octagon.
“I’m going to heavyweight,” Hill said on his YouTube Channel.
“I’m officially going to say it, I’m going to heavyweight. It’s been something that I’ve been working on now for like the last few months. Putting on the necessary weight, and putting on the necessary muscle and everything like that. Wouldn’t it be better if I came back and went and won the heavyweight title?”
Hill has his sights set on a massive challenge for his UFC heavyweight debut, calling for a fight against heavyweight rising star Hokit. Hokit is coming off a spectacular TKO victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC White House.
While no date is set in stone, Hill hopes to return on the UFC’s annual Madison Square Garden card, with a late 2026 main event or an early 2027 comeback also on the table.
“100% Josh Hokit is a fight I want as my heavyweight debut, why not? Former UFC champion, come on. Come get some,” Hill said.
“I don’t want to give a for sure timeline. I would really like to fight on the MSG card. If not, maybe headlining one of the cards towards the end of the year or something like that. That’s the plan to come back in 2026. If can’t figure nothing out with that, beginning of the year, first quarter, right at the beginning for sure.”
