Jamahal Hill
Active 2020–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 86.0
Scouting report
Making history as the first Dana White's Contender Series alumnus to capture undisputed UFC gold, Jamahal "Sweet Dreams" Hill claimed the vacant light heavyweight belt with a five-round decision over Glover Teixeira. Born in Chicago, Illinois and representing Grand Rapids, Michigan, Hill's striking is driven by a 92 Boxing rating and 88 Strength.
Peak ratings
By edition
Hill stormed into the light heavyweight rankings between 2020 and 2021, stopping Ovince Saint Preux with punches in Las Vegas and knocking out Jimmy Crute in round one at UFC on ESPN 31 in Las Vegas, with his only setback being a first-round TKO loss to Paul Craig. His hands, boxing combinations, and reach are reflected in a 90 Boxing and 76 Wrestling.
Hill captured the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in January 2023 at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, battering former champion Glover Teixeira across five rounds, following a knockout of Thiago Santos in Las Vegas. After vacating the belt, he returned to challenge Alex Pereira at UFC 300, where he was knocked out in round one. His power boxing and timing anchor his 92 Boxing and 78 Wrestling.
Jamahal Hill, the basketball player from Grand Rapids who took the belt
Jamahal Hill moved to Grand Rapids at twelve, passed on a basketball career at Davenport University, and turned pro in 2017. He earned his big-promotion contract in 2019 on the Contender Series, finishing Alexander Poppeck with ground and pound. After an armbar loss to Paul Craig in 2021, he knocked out Jimmy Crute and Johnny Walker and stopped Thiago Santos. In January 2023 he beat Glover Teixeira by decision for the vacant title, landing 232 significant strikes, a light heavyweight single-fight record.
Hill rating breakdown
Boxing. His best rating. He finished Walker in round one with a knockout in 2022.
Kickboxing. Strong. He landed a large share of his 232 significant strikes against Teixeira at range.
Wrestling. Fair. He is a striker first and this is not where his wins come from.
BJJ. The lowest on his card. Craig dislocated his elbow with an armbar in 2021.
Strength. Good power at the weight, and his knockout of Crute in 2021 came in round one.
Durability. Solid. Pereira knocked him out in round one in 2024 and Jiri Prochazka stopped him in round three in 2025.
Cardio. Very good. He kept up a huge volume for five rounds against Teixeira, throwing 402 significant strikes.
Fight IQ. Solid. He has had two Performance of the Night bonuses and two Fight of the Night awards.
Boxing at 92 and the volume to go with it
The Teixeira fight backs the rating: 232 significant strikes landed against 75 for Teixeira. The win was a five-round display of hand speed, distance strikes and steady pressure. He also stopped Santos in 2022 in a Fight of the Night.
Jiu-jitsu is the crack: BJJ 74
Craig submitted him with an armbar in round one in 2021, and although he has fought well since, that is the pattern to exploit. A grappler who can secure a clean position early can get him out of his comfort zone.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Jamahal Hill, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Dominick Reyesbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 74
- Carlos Ulbergbest boxing 91 · weakest bjj 72
- Jiri Prochazkabest boxing 92 · weakest bjj 80
- Thiago Santosbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 76
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Jamahal Hill's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Jamahal Hill into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Jamahal Hill is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Jamahal Hill's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.