Jamahal Hill confident in recovery from injury ahead of UFC 300: 'I was ready to go for a while'

Jamahal Hill addresses injury concerns ahead of Saturday's UFC 300.

LAS VEGAS – Jamahal Hill assures he’s 100 percent ready to go for UFC 300.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion returns to the octagon Saturday to challenge champion Alex Pereira for the title. This is Hill’s first fight since he relinquished his belt after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in July 2023.

Given its severity, many were surprised to see Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) back in action just nine months after the injury, which has some questioning if he enters the fight against Pereira (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) 100 percent healthy.

But Hill assures he’s good to go.

“I’ve been feeling like I was ready to go for a while, but I listen to the team and to the doctors,” Hill said at Wednesday’s UFC 300 media day. “I don’t have an answer to that, except for the simple fact that I’ve been ready to go since I got hurt.”

Hill is thankful he’s back to fighting since a ruptured Achilles tendon is a serious injury that has derailed, and even ended, some athletic careers.

“I could’ve all been over,” Hill said. “It really could’ve all been over for me. There are people, there are athletes who have suffered this same injury who had to call it quits on their hopes and dreams.

“I’m fortunate enough to be now in a time and in a position where the best medicine available was available to me. I was able to take advantage of that and use the resources to make my way back and come back in a time that people can’t really seem to believe.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.