Former UFC Champion Jamahal Hill Announces Extended Hiatus After Third Straight Loss: "I Haven’t Been on My Level"

Former UFC Champion Jamahal Hill Announces Extended Hiatus After Third Straight Loss: “I Haven’t Been on My Level” originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The life of a UFC fighter is a relentless grind, with athletes often pushing through injuries, exhaustion, and mental burnout to stay active in an unforgiving sport. Some competitors may thrive on constant competition, but others reach a breaking point, whether from accumulated damage, whittling motivation, or the harsh reality of diminishing returns. Breaks can serve as necessary resets, allowing fighters to heal, reinvent their skills, or simply rediscover their passion for the sport.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has announced he will take a significant break from fighting following his third consecutive loss, a lopsided decision defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC Baku. The 34-year-old revealed his plans in a candid YouTube video, admitting he has not performed at his peak for some time due to lingering injuries and rushed recoveries. Hill’s recent slump marks a stark contrast to his dominant title-winning performance against Glover Teixeira in early 2023, which now feels like a distant memory amid his struggles.

Hill acknowledged his pre-fight bravado, claiming, “I know there was a lot made and said of the things before the fight, me saying the comments of Khalil’s not on my level and said the same in my last few fights, but to be honest, I haven’t been on my level.”

Watch the full vlog here:

The former champ’s decline has been stark. After vacating his title due to the Achilles injury, Hill was knocked out by Alex Pereira in his comeback at UFC 300, then lost to Jiri Prochazka by TKO and Rountree by decision.

After suffering a torn Achilles in 2023 and subsequent knee damage, Hill believes he aggravated his injuries by returning too soon.

He admitted to underestimating the toll of his injuries, saying, “I’ve gone against a lot of advice that I was given by my team and people close to me in taking my time, building back on my injuries, and those things, and I feel that’s something that I’m not going to be able to escape.”

He admitted he hasn’t been able to run since the injury and lacks the leg strength that once made him a dynamic striker. Hill’s self-criticism was unsparing, as he vowed to overhaul his training regimen, commit to physical rehab, and adopt the discipline of a champion—something he admits he neglected during his slide.

“I have to change the amount of work that I’m willing to do, the amount of push that I give in my preparation,” he admitted. “I’m fighting the best in the world right now, and I’m at a championship level, and I must live like a champion.”

Once a feared striker who held the UFC light heavyweight belt, he now sits outside the top five, with contenders like Rountree surging past him. Still, Hill remains defiant, insisting his best version is still untapped.

Hill declared, “I’m going to take time out, take a little bit of time to get back to where I know I can be and get back to that exciting fighter and that dominant champion that I know that I am.”

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.