SUNRISE, Fla. – UFC light heavyweight champ Jamahal Hill would be disappointed to never fight Jon Jones, but has nothing but respect for him.
Heavyweight champion Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) mentioned potential retirement after he defends his belt against Stipe Miocic this year, meaning Hill’s chances of moving up to fight him would be slim.
But either way, Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) appreciates what Jones has done for the sport.
“For me, it’s kind of disheartening because that’s a challenge I want,” Hill told MMA Junkie. “But if that’s what he wants for his life and his legacy and things like that, and that’s where he feels like he wants to put the end to it, that’s all the more respect to him. I’m not going to ask for nothing more. He’s given a lot. He’s given us some great fights, some great performances, some great lessons on both sides of the coin to learn from.
“I remember seeing Jon Jones in there, elbow red from being in an armbar from Vitor, and then in the same fight broke his toe. Come on, bro. Respect what people put on the line and lay out there for you. If he decides, ‘All right, I’ve given all I can,’ hat’s off to you and ride off. Enjoy whatever you do after that.”
Hill currently is on a collision course with former champion Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who vacated his belt after injuring his shoulder which required surgery.
After Prochazka relinquished the title, Hill claimed the vacant 205-pound belt with a dominant victory over Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in January. Hill is eager to fight and hopes he and Prochazka finally can throw down at UFC 292, which is expected to take place in Boston on Aug. 19.
Jamahal Hill says Jon Jones retirement talk is ‘disheartening’: ‘That’s a challenge I want’