Jamahal Hill expects Khalil Rountree’s strike stance to cause problems for UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira. The Brazilian has had unprecedented success as a linear kickboxer in UFC competition. Pereira defends his strap in a third pay-per-view calendar appearance in the UFC 307 main event. Ahead of the fight, Hill has come out with interesting observations.
Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) even phased out Southpaw Jamahal Hill at the UFC 300 PPV in April. Despite questions about lacking a ground game and not being that good, Pereira has proven everyone wrong. However, Jamahal Hill believes that as a left-hander, Rountree will present a look that Pereira has struggled with.
If you look at his [Pereira’s] kickboxing career, southpaw is a stance that gives him trouble. He struggles against southpaws…Can he beat southpaws? Yes. But, I haven’t seen him really dominate a southpaw… People wonder why 6-foot Bruno Silva gave him trouble. Because Bruno Silva has the ability to fight southpaw. The second fight against Izzy (Adesanya), go look…
Jamahal Hill to Aljamain Sterling on his Official YouTube channel (@FunkMasterUFC)
The Pataxó tribe warrior has smashed through five former champions en route to a double champ status. Pereira is also the fastest to reach dual-division championship status. But he isn’t without his blemishes. Old kickboxing rival Israel Adesanya defeated the Team Teixeira MMA & Fitness fighter at his second coming at UFC 287. Izzy, a master of spatial control working out of pockets, knocked ‘Poatan’ out.
However, Pereira might have also drained himself out with brutal weight-cutting. It left him without fluids in his brain and prone to damage from Adesanya. Another good point to Hill’s argument is that Rountree has upset kickboxing standouts like Gokhan Saki before. He has had some success against kickboxers, a standup plan he touts using again. Hill is also vested in Pereira vs. Rountree and plans to attend the fight.
Jamahal Hill will attend UFC 307 in October
Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira continues to take aim at UFC title history with yet another fight this year. He now enters the foray at UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) stateside again, facing Khalil Rountree. Despite his dominance since his arrival less than three years ago, the Brazilian has been an underdog in many a scrap. But now, the active champion is a 5-1 favorite and means to keep it that way.
Jamahal Hill looking forward to UFC 307 in Salt Lake City (Source: X/msn.com)Pereira has already entered the camp for his UFC 307 matchup. He is sparring with Sean Strickland, under the guidance of Plinio Cruz and Glover Texeira. Pereira is looking to win his fourth light heavyweight title fight in a spot span of 11 months and putting the work into it. Jamahal Hill, fresh off a first-round knockout from Alex Pereira will attend his next trial.
Yeah I’m …I’m going to go, …It makes sense, and it affects what’s next for me…and things like that. I’m going to go out there.
Jamahal Hill further said
Since Pereira was announced to defend his title against Khalil Rountree Jr, ex-champ Hill has made it clear he disagrees with ‘War Horse’ getting a shot. Rountree is on a five-fight win streak with four stoppages. The Southpaw fighter is also a top bill performer, with 3 post-fight bonuses. While many think he can slightly pull off an upset, #8 Rountree is also not the best skill-to-skill test.
However, if Rountree loses, a scrap with the recent title challenger could propel Hill immensely. ‘Sweet Dreams’ was to take on Rountree at UFC 303 in June, but Rountree pulled out after a failed drug test. Carlos Ulberg stepped in to replace him, but Hill eventually pulled out of the fight due to injury. Now, Hill could perhaps see a roundabout way to get back to his 205lb title in Rountree.
