“Is there no suspensions any more?” Daniel Cormier questions Jamahal Hill’s quick turnaround after brutal KO against Alex Pereira

Daniel Cormier ponders if Jamahal Hill should be rebounding so quick after finding himself in harm's way of Alex Pereira's face-throbbing KO.

“Is there no suspensions any more?” Daniel Cormier questions Jamahal Hill’s quick turnaround after brutal KO against Alex Pereira

Daniel Cormier questions Jamahal Hill's quick return after loss to Alex Pereira (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

There are two types of fans, peers and pundits that have peculiar reactions to Alex Pereira. One who is in awe of ‘Poatan’ and would gladly join his ethereal Pataxó warcry. There’s also Anthony Smith, Chris Weidman, and others who see a gaping hole in the 10-2 kickboxer’s grappling skills. Then, there are Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier who stand corrected on that. Now, ‘DC’ wonders what category Jamahal Hill is.

Waving off a groin shot, Alex Pereira KO’ed Jamahal Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) with immersive power from a left undercut shovel hook. The vicious knockout and a celebratory emote came at the 3:14 mark of Round 1 of Pereira’s LHW maiden defense. However, Hill has remained hell-bent on a rebound and title rematch. To that end, Daniel Cormier is questioning his quick turnaround for UFC 303 and other subsequent callouts.

That's a great fight [UFC 303] I just wonder, is there no suspensions anymore when you get finished in a fight like that? That's my only concern... But I get it...Jamahal wants to get right back to work...
Daniel Cormier via the Good Guy / Bad Guy for ESPN
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The monumental loss had not curbed his enthusiasm. Immediately after, Hill had called out for an epic clash with Jiri Prochazka, with title eliminator implications to rise yet again. He maintains much angst about regaining the title gold. Now he meets #8 ranked light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303 for International Fight Week.

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A fight with any such Top 10 peers in the roster can cement him as a top contender. However, DC questioned the quick return. Justin Gaethje and ‘BMF’ Max Holloway might officially beget a 180-day medical suspension or more. Even Holloway sported quite a leg injury; Cody Garbrandt was hospitalized with vertigo following UFC 300. As for Hill, one has to wonder what it is about Pereira that rivals keep wanting more.

Alex Pereira’s top rival weighs in on the reason for opponents seeking revenge despite knockout losses

At UFC 300, Alex Pereira delivered a stunning KO to Jamahal Hill in their light-heavyweight title headliner. Despite the knockout, ‘Sweet Dreams‘ has shown immense resolve to get back on top. Pereira defeated the likes of Hill, Prochazka, and Sean Strickland. However, all three of them did not sit out for more than six months or more. They immediately bounced back.

Alex Pereira defeats Jamhal Hill at UFC 300
Alex Pereira defeats Jamhal Hill at UFC 300 (Source: Instagram/ (@UFCNews) / X)

So what is it about ‘Poatan‘ that has people coming back for more? Longtime rival Israel Adesnaya detailed his rivalry with Pereira to suggest a possible explanation.

In China, I thought I won…anyone who's watched the fight though I won…these casuals - these plebs don't! I thought I won even he [Alex] though I won till he got his hand raised…second fight again I'm beating his a** and he gets me…[in] New York…I just knew I can beat this guy…it wasn't about proving it to anyone else it was about myself… know I can beat this guy so that last that Miami one I was in a different place…
Israel Adesanya via the “Mighty” Podcast with Demetrious Johnson [31:16 – 33:44]
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Pereira is the former middleweight titleholder in UFC and GLORY Kickboxing. He defeated Adesanya notably at UFC 281, with the latter winning back the middleweight gold at UFC 287 via a 2nd-round KO. ‘The Last Stylebender‘ goes on to explain he was in disbelief that an unlikely opponent could defeat him for a fourth time. This put him in an overdrive mode to win back his title.

As such, in the case of Hill and Prochazka, both believe they could defeat Pereira. They have already indicated a rematch would end differently than the first time. On the other hand, Strickland became friends with Pereira and started to train with him. Hence, Adesanya believed the mentality of knowing that he could defeat Pereira made him instantly rematch for revenge. As such, Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka’s similar belief makes them seek a rematch.

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