Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamal Hill has put on weight and is planning a debut at heavyweight. Hill has called out Sergei Pavlovich as his desired opponent for the division.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamal Hill is setting his sights on a new division, announcing plans to make his heavyweight debut and calling out ranked contender Sergei Pavlovich as his preferred first opponent at 265 pounds.
Hill, a former titleholder at 205 pounds, has reportedly put on significant weight and is positioning himself to compete among the heavyweights. The move signals a notable shift in ambition for a fighter who held gold in the light heavyweight division, and his immediate callout of a top-three contender makes clear he has no interest in easing into the weight class.
Standing in his crosshairs is Pavlovich, one of the most feared strikers in the heavyweight division. The 34-year-old Russian fights out of Eagles MMA and carries a record of 20-3-0, currently ranked third among UFC heavyweights. A southpaw standing six-foot-three with an extraordinary 84-inch reach, Pavlovich lands 4.43 significant strikes per minute at 44 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect his reputation as a high-volume, punishing finisher. He has no submission attempts on record, underscoring a fighting style built almost entirely around his striking.
Why it matters
- Hill moving up from light heavyweight to heavyweight is a rare and high-profile divisional crossover that instantly draws attention.
- Pavlovich is ranked third at heavyweight, meaning a win for either fighter would carry serious title implications.
- The stylistic contrast between Hill's dynamic striking game and Pavlovich's reach and southpaw power makes for a compelling matchup on paper.
- If the bout is made, it would be one of the more notable heavyweight bouts outside the title picture.
