Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamal Hill is preparing to make his debut at heavyweight and has called out Sergei Pavlovich as his desired opponent.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamal Hill is moving up a division and has set his sights on a high-profile debut at heavyweight, calling out third-ranked contender Sergei Pavlovich as his preferred first opponent at the new weight class.
Hill, a former 205-pound titleholder, is making the jump to heavyweight — a bold move that would see him compete against some of the most physically imposing fighters on the UFC roster. No further details about a scheduled bout have been confirmed at this stage.
Pavlovich, 34, represents one of the most dangerous potential matchups available at heavyweight. The Russian knockout artist out of Eagles MMA holds a 20-3-0 professional record and currently sits third in the UFC's heavyweight rankings. Standing six-foot-three with a remarkable 84-inch reach, the southpaw is a physically dominant presence. His output of 4.43 significant strikes landed per minute underscores his aggressive, pressure-heavy approach, and his 44 percent striking accuracy reflects the controlled violence he brings to the octagon. He offers virtually no grappling threat, averaging just 0.48 takedowns per 15 minutes with no submission attempts on record.
Why it matters
- A win over a top-three heavyweight would immediately establish Hill as a credible threat in the division on debut.
- Pavlovich's elite striking volume against a former light heavyweight champion creates a compelling stylistic contrast.
- Hill moving up adds fresh competition to a heavyweight division already stacked with contenders pushing toward the title.
