“Never built to be champion” – Fans sulk as UFC light heavyweight division loses yet another champion as Jamahal Hill relinquishes title after Achilles rupture

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has relinquished his championship belt after suffering a rupture in his Achilles. Hill became the champion after defeating UFC legend and former champion Glover Teixeira via unanimous decision at UFC 283. He has not defended his title since then. Much to the fan’s disappointment, the light heavyweight title is vacant again.

Jamahal Hill took to his YouTube podcast where he expressed his disappointment by saying, “It’s a tough injury, it will take me time, rehab to get back.” Hill also mentioned in the video that he relinquished the belt as it will take him time to get back in shape and he doesn’t want the division to be at a standstill. Fans were disappointed and commented, “Jamahal Hill was not built to be a champion anyway.”

The championship match at UFC 283 was originally scheduled as a second fight between former champion Jiri Prochazka and Teixeira, but ironically, Prochazka too had to pull out of the fight due to a serious shoulder injury and vacated the title. Teixeira refused to fight Magomed Ankalaev, who was in the co-main event facing former champion Jan Blachowicz.

Hill has a record of 12-1 in his MMA career and was on a three-fight win streak against the likes of Thiago Santos and Johnny Walker before winning his title. He also won the “Fight of the Month” award for his championship bout against Teixeira. Fans are upset after seeing the light heavyweight belt be relinquished for the fourth time in history.

Related: Jamahal Hill claims Jiri Prochazka’s crazy adventure as escape from anticipated title fight

Fans react to Jamahal Hill’s announcement

UFC fans around the world are upset after seeing Hill’s announcement about relinquishing the title and are commenting about how his recent physique was not “ideal for a champion.” Check out some of the fan reactions-

Lightweight contender Anthony Smith also criticized Hill’s physique saying “he needs to get on a diet.” Fans now want the fight between Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 for the interim title as they want to see the winner of that fight face Prochazka in a championship bout.

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