What’s it like to be called out by the GOAT of MMA? Jamahal Hill knows exactly how that feels. Hill has been on cloud nine since last week when UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, 37, successfully defended his title against Stipe Miočić at UFC 309 and revealed that he would now only fight for his own satisfaction. In the twilight of his career, Jones expressed a desire to take on “fun, random fights,” a statement he made public during the UFC 309 fight week.

Instead of facing Tom Aspinall, whom UFC boss Dana White had his sights on for Jones next, the divisional champ proposed vacating the heavyweight title to pursue dream matchups with fighters like Jamahal Hill or Derrick Lewis. While Jones has yet to hear back from Lewis, Jamahal Hill recently shared his reaction to being called out by the ‘GOAT of MMA’. In an interview on Inside Fighting’s YouTube channel, Hill was asked about the surprise challenge from Jon Jones, to which he enthusiastically responded, “100%,” confirming his shock.

The Chicago native further expressed his excitement, saying that facing Jon Jones has always been his dream matchup since joining the UFC. “That was the first name that came out of my mouth whenever they put a UFC camera in front of me. So for him to say that now – to me – lets me know that I’m doing the right things.“, said Hill, clearly thrilled about the prospect of fighting the legendary Jones. His ‘I’m doing the right things’ statement is also his response to everyone who wrote him off after his loss to light heavyweight king Alex Pereira.

Jamahal Hill (12-2-0) is a former light heavyweight champion, securing the title after his unanimous win over Glover Teixeira in 2023. He made history as the first fighter from Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) to claim a UFC title. Unfortunately, Hill’s reign was cut short when he had to vacate the title due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. After nearly a year of recovery, Hill returned to the Octagon earlier this year at UFC 300 against Alex Pereira, but his comeback attempt fell short.

However, it looked like Hill wasn’t convinced of Alex Pereira’s prowess despite being knocked out clean in the first round of their bout. ‘Sweet Dreams’ is still convinced that he can beat the light heavyweight champion, as he let his audience know on his YouTube channel following the UFC 300 knockout. But what irked fans the most was the disrespect Hill showed ‘Poatan’ at UFC 307.

Pereira Responds to Hill’s Yawning Reaction at UFC 307

Recently, one of the most talked-about rivalries in the UFC spotlight has been between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill. The two fighters faced off at UFC 300, with Pereira claiming a first-round KO victory. However, Hill’s defeat was more significant than any other loss, as Pereira not only shattered Hill’s dream of reclaiming the light heavyweight title but also settled the score for his mentor Glover Teixeira’s loss to ‘Sweet Dreams’ at UFC 283 the previous year.

This rivalry came to a head at UFC 307 last month, after Pereira’s sixth headline event, where he faced his toughest battle against Khalil Rountree Jr. Despite the tough fight, Pereira secured a knockout win in the fourth round. However, Hill was unimpressed by Pereira’s performance, yawning into the camera and suggesting it was a boring bout. Hill later commented, “Nothing surprised me,” brushing it off. However, Pereira wasn’t ready to let it slide. During the post-fight interview, he took a dig at Hill, saying, “Maybe he just woke up from UFC 300.”

What are your thoughts on Jon Jones vs. Jamahal Hill? Do you believe this matchup could be one of the more exciting fights in the Octagon, or should Jon Jones face Tom Aspinall for a title unification bout next? Share your opinion below.