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Video: Alex Pereira Tries to Fight Jamahal Hill at UFC Gym amid Social Media Beef

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIDecember 5, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 05: Alex Pereira of Brazil reacts after his TKO victory against Khalil Rountree Jr. in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 307 event at Delta Center on October 05, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

UFC fighters Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill confronted each other at the UFC Performance Institute and appeared ready to fight before being separated.

FULL SEND MMA @full_send_mma

😳 Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill ran into each other and were ready to throw down <a href="https://t.co/tkMgzRO1m9">pic.twitter.com/tkMgzRO1m9</a>

Pereira defeated Hill via first-round knockout at UFC 300 in April, but the two could face each other in the Octagon again. There's been some bad blood between the two since then.

Curtis Calhoun of Bloody Elbow explained the situation.

"Hill has the opportunity to potentially skip the line when he faces Jiří Procházka at UFC 311 next month. An impressive showing, particularly a finish, could be enough to warrant a rematch against Pereira.

"Since their UFC 300 clash, tensions have sizzled between Pereira and Hill. After Hill was caught yawning in reaction to Pereira's finish at UFC 307, Pereira hit back by reminding Hill of their first go-around in the Octagon."

It appears the two could have thrown down before a potential rematch, though, before cooler heads prevailed.

Pereira is UFC's current light heavyweight champion and ex-UFC middleweight title holder. The 37-year-old is 12-2 lifetime with three successful light heavyweight title defenses, including the aforementioned one against Hill.

Hill previously won the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship against Glover Teixeira in January 2023 but had to vacate the title due to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered while playing a pickup basketball game.

It's not clear who Pereira will fight next, although UFC heavyweight title holder Jon Jones has made it clear that he wants a matchup.

UFC president Dana White has made it abundantly clear that matchup won't happen under his watch.

Hill, of course, wants to face Pereira in a rematch. First, he has a bout against Jiří Procházka, the No. 2 contender on the light heavyweight list. Hill is No. 3, two spots behind Magomed Ankalaev at No. 1.

Pereira had a comment to Hill during their spat, insinuating his willingness to see him again.

Alex "Poatan" Pereira @AlexPereiraUFC

Calm down, my son. Pass this test and Dad will give you a second chance.<br><br>Calma meu filho, passa nesse teste e o pai vai te dar uma segunda chance. <a href="https://t.co/ywr6gqj9XG">pic.twitter.com/ywr6gqj9XG</a>

Hill didn't take kindly to the remarks, citing illegitimacy toward Pereira's recent wins, including the one against him.

Jamahal Hill @JamahalH

Beat it funny how you rushed lil ass roundtree and dumbass Jiri like you were the man but waited until the refs got in the way to swing at me!!! You will see me again at 100% soon and we both know the fear that was in your heart!! <a href="https://t.co/ARC4XQyNQq">https://t.co/ARC4XQyNQq</a>

We'll see if these two confront each other again (at least in an Octagon as opposed to a gym) sometime down the road. But first, Hill has to take down Procházka in order to get that chance. That will go down at UFC 311 on Saturday, January 18 in Los Angeles' Intuit Dome.