Proud MMA Dad Himself, Grant Hill Showers Sam Hughes & Coach Sayif With Love After Insane UFC Milestone

Sam Hughes’ win might have come through a split decision but she has the complete support of NBA legend Grant Hill. If you missed the fight, Hughes edged out Stephanie Luciano on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 254 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. And yes, it was another weekend, another UFC scorecard stirring up controversy. However, Hill did not focus on the controversy. He just wanted to show some love.

“Congrats to @samhughesmma on your @ufc win..,” Hill wrote on Instagram. And he didn’t stop there. He also gave a huge shoutout to coach Sayif Saud, who just hit his 100th UFC win. However, Grant’s daughter, Myla Hill, had sent the congratulatory message. The former NBA star shared Myla’s IG post in his story section.

“Massive congratulations to @samhughesmma on a well-earned victory and to @sayifsaud on securing his 100th UFC win! Sam, your grit and determination inspire me more than you know, and Coach, your commitment to excellence truly elevates us all…,” Myla wrote in the caption.

While the support from Myla and Grant Hill is commendable, debates regarding the judges’ decisions persist. Statistically, Hughes was the more accurate striker, landing 76 of 152 attempts (50%), while Luciano, though more active, connected on just 82 of 251 attempts. But what truly tipped the scales? Judge Derek Cleary’s controversial 10-8 score in Hughes’ favor during the second round, secured her the split-decision victory.

So, was Hughes unsure about the outcome? Not at all. “I’ve never been like, ‘Man, that was close.’ I was so confident. I know I won this fight. So that felt really good… I’ve been the underdog in all 10 fights in the UFC, and this was my fight to showcase,” she said.

And let’s not forget—Hill knows a thing or two about rooting for an underdog. His own daughter is still making her way in MMA, and if her early steps in the sport are any indication, she’s got a bright future ahead.

Grant Hill’s daughter found an early success in the MMA

Grant Hill’s daughter, Myla Hill, is carving her own path in the MMA world. Even in the early stages of her career, she turned heads with a perfect 3-0 amateur record. Back in 2023, she shared just how much she loved the journey. “I love it, man. It’s awesome,” she said at the time. And really, how could she not? Three fights, three wins—talk about making a statement.

Myla Hill isn’t the first fighter to come from a legendary sports background. Just as NFL great Herschel Walker made a surprising MMA debut, and Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh, has stepped into the cage, Myla carries the weight of a legendary last name.

Unlike many young fighters who need time to adjust to the spotlight, Myla was built for it. Being Grant Hill’s daughter, she always knew what it meant to have eyes on her. But that didn’t stop her from embracing the grind. She began her MMA training at VI Levels gym in Winter Garden in 2019 and stepped into the amateur cage two years later.

Now, while some assume that MMA success only comes from a tough upbringing, her coach, Jonathan Burke, doesn’t buy into that myth. Myla stated that the name Hill only brings an added responsibility to her that further drives her to excel.

“What’s super important to me is upholding my family legacy. The Hill last name comes with a lot,” she said. Grant Hill’s 23-year-old daughter is proof that hard work and dedication speak louder than circumstances.