'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABdAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQgQAAIBBAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAREiEEBTEGAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBREAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAERIxQf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AxD0vX9NxuJC0nFaV5dNkwYBcC6gaG87b9teok/ysjzyMU4yXdjihbEb8Fx5SlHZ3fTKKIrKoIFYgz//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
At UFC 283 in Brazil, Jamahal Hill claimed the vacant light heavyweight throne, beating Glover Teixiera via decision in the pay-per-view headliner. Following his victory, Hill revealed that he had to deal with a tragic personal loss upon his return to the United States.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Hill opened up about some of the obstacles he had to overcome in the lead-up to the fight. He revealed that apart from having to drastically get his weight down and dealing with a minor shoulder injury, his aunt was sick at the time as well.
Hill added that his aunt passed away just days after his title-winning performance at UFC 283. 'Sweet Dreams' claimed that he was very close to his aunt and that she had been sick for weeks before eventually passing:
"I had some family members that I lost, you know? And, actually even like this morning, my aunt, who was one of the closest people in the world to me, she passed this morning. She hasn't been well for weeks."
When asked whether his aunt was watching his fight, Hill answered:
"I don't think she saw it... I don't think she saw the fight... She's been out for weeks. She was fighting, you know? She's a fighter [and] she was fighting to the end."
Catch Jamahal Hill's comments below (11:00):
Jamahal Hill becomes UFC's first champion to come through Dana White's Contender Series
Jamahal Hill made history at UFC 283, becoming the inaugural UFC champion to hail from Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS).
Hill took on Alexander Poppeck on DWCS back in 2019, cruising to a second-round TKO victory to earn a UFC contract. He then went on a three-fight unbeaten streak before suffering the first loss of his career to Paul Craig at UFC 263.
He then compiled another three-fight win streak to break into the light heavyweight top 10, knocking out Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos. Hill was then offered a championship opportunity and grabbed it with both hands, defeating Glover Teixeira for the vacant title.
Hill will likely defend his title later this year, likely against either former champion Jiri Prochazka or top-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev. Prochazka, who notably vacated the championship last year due to injury, will be the likeliest candidate if he recovers in time.
The former 205-pound champion congratulated Hill soon after UFC 283, before sending an ominous message to the newly crowned light heavyweight king.
