Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamal Hill is preparing to move up to heavyweight and has called out Sergei Pavlovich as a potential opponent for his debut at the new weight class. Hill has not competed since losing to Khalil Rountree at UFC Baku.
Jamal Hill is eyeing a jump to heavyweight and has publicly called out ranked contender Sergei Pavlovich as his preferred first opponent at the new weight class, with the former light heavyweight champion looking to reestablish himself following a loss at UFC Baku.
Hill, a former 205-pound champion, has been inactive since dropping a decision to Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC Baku. Rountree, now ranked seventh at light heavyweight, is a 36-year-old southpaw standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. The Californian lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute at 40 percent accuracy, operating almost entirely as a pure striker with no takedown output to speak of.
Pavlovich, the man Hill has called out, sits third in the heavyweight division and represents one of the most dangerous tests available at 265 pounds. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA, stands six-foot-three with an exceptional 84-inch reach and carries genuine knockout power behind his volume. He lands 4.43 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy, making him one of the more prolific offensive heavyweights in the UFC. His record stands at 20-3-0.
Why it matters
- A win over the third-ranked heavyweight would immediately legitimize Hill as a title contender at the new weight class
- Pavlovich's 84-inch reach and southpaw stance create a significant physical challenge for a natural light heavyweight making his debut at 265 pounds
- The matchup pits two high-output strikers against each other, with both men averaging over 3.8 significant strikes landed per minute in their respective divisions
- Hill's activity at heavyweight would add a notable name to a division currently building toward its next title contention picture
