Jamahal Hill joins Laura Sanko on One On One MMA to discuss his transition to the heavyweight division, his upcoming debut early next year, and his expert breakdown of the UFC 334 main event between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit.
Jamahal Hill Moving to Heavyweight (0:00 to 5:52)
Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill opened up about his decision to move up to heavyweight, which he announced back in June. Hill explained that while he always wanted to chase double-champ status, recent injuries and changes to his fighting style made him feel his skills now translate better at heavyweight.
During his time away from weight-bearing training due to a foot surgery, Hill focused heavily on lifting and putting on muscle. While he hasn't fought at heavyweight yet, he feels confident in his natural athleticism, heavy hands, and elite conditioning—noting a recent grueling session of 45 minutes on the mitts followed by 10 to 11 straight rounds of sparring. Hill also weighed in on the broader trend of former light heavyweights finding success at heavyweight, pointing out that true high-level athletes are rare in the heavier division and athleticism ultimately rules the sport.
A Look at Gane vs. Hokit (5:52 to 12:01)
Hill shifted focus to the UFC 334 main event between Ciryl Gane and Josh Hokit. Discussing Hokit, Hill admitted he doesn't know him personally but respects his toughness and durability, which he previously displayed against Curtis Blades.
When analyzing Gane, Hill defended the French heavyweight against fan criticism regarding his losses to Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, as well as occasional fouls in the heat of chaotic finishes. Hill noted that fans often hold fighters to an unrealistic standard of invincibility the moment they see them lose. While acknowledging that Gane's grappling hasn't been heavily tested since the Jon Jones fight, Hill praised Gane's movement, speed, and overall skill set.
Keys to Victory & Prediction (12:01 to end)
Hill broke down the tactical paths to victory for both men:
For Ciryl Gane: Control the distance, work behind a consistent jab and body kicks, avoid overextending, and stay light on his feet to utilize his lateral quickness.
For Josh Hokit: Use high volume to slow Gane down, cut off the cage rather than walking him down blindly, use fakes and bouncing movement to mask his entries, and secure early takedowns to drain Gane's energy with heavy top pressure.
The Pick: Hill officially picked Ciryl Gane to win, reasoning that Gane holds the striking advantage and will have spent his training camp practicing how to stop takedowns.
Before wrapping up, Hill shared a timeline for his own heavyweight debut, targeting the first quarter of next year.
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