Jamahal Hill mocks heavyweight rivals in video ahead of division switch

Jamahal Hill is wasting no time stirring the heavyweight pot. The former UFC light heavyweight champion posted a social media video on Thursday trolling potential opponents as he prepares to move up from 205 pounds, targeting his heavyweight debut in late 2026 or early 2027.

Hill’s decision to switch divisions follows three consecutive losses at light heavyweight. Since defeating Glover Teixeira for the vacant UFC title in January 2023, he has struggled with both defeats and injuries, and his most recent outing ended in a unanimous decision loss to Khalil Rountree Jr. in June 2025.

The video is loaded with pointed references. Hill opens by demonstrating exaggerated eye and back-of-the-head defence — a clear dig at interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane, who has drawn criticism for similar tactics in bouts against Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira. He then climbs onto a stool to add height, an apparent nod to the division’s taller competitors, with Alexander Volkov and Tallison Teixeira among the likely targets.

Hill also throws up a double-handed gesture and delivers a D-Generation X crotch chop, which appears directed at controversial heavyweight contender Josh Hokit.

Hill has long been one of the more outspoken personalities in the UFC, and the clip suggests he intends to carry that energy into a new weight class. Whether the bravado translates into results against a heavyweight roster that includes some of the most physically imposing fighters in the sport remains to be seen, but Hill is clearly relishing the build-up.