Exclusive: Is UFC protecting Alex Pereira from Magomed Ankalaev? Jamahal Hill laughs out loud and follows it up with opinion

Jamahal Hill has addressed the rumors of striking savant Alex Pereira supposedly being protected by the UFC from a bad stylistic matchup against grappling wizard Magomed Ankalaev. Hill laughingly recalled his previous claims that the UFC isn't particularly fond of Ankalaev.

Hill vacated his UFC light heavyweight title due to an Achilles tendon injury in July 2023. Brazil's Alex Pereira subsequently captured the vacant title by besting ex-champion Jiri Prochazka via second-round TKO at UFC 295 in Nov. 2023. 'Poatan' then defended the belt by defeating the returning Hill via first-round KO at UFC 300 in April 2024.

Following that, Pereira bested Prochazka via second-round TKO in their rematch at UFC 303 in June 2024 and then beat Khalil Rountree Jr. via fourth-round TKO at UFC 307 on Oct. 5, 2024.

Some fans have argued that Magomed Ankalaev who's booked to fight Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 (Oct. 26, 2024) in Abu Dhabi, should've gotten a title shot against Pereira over the No. 8-ranked Rountree Jr. Taking to his YouTube channel in Aug. 2024, Hill suggested that the UFC doesn't like Ankalaev, which is why they handed Rountree Jr. the shot.

Watch Hill's assessment below (16:28):

During an interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda MMA, Jamahal Hill was asked for his opinion about whether the UFC protected its superstar Alex Pereira by having him fight Rountree Jr. rather than Ankalaev. Hill responded, stating:

"I feel like it was funny as hell."

Hill laughed and seemed to hark back to his comments about the UFC not liking Ankalaev. 'Sweet Dreams' said:

"I feel like it was funny. I told y'all. I told y'all a while back they don't f**k with him [Ankalaev]. They don't like him. So I'm not surprised. I wasn't surprised by that, like -- I was. I'm not going to lie. I was surprised they went to Khalil. But it was like, it was a cope, and then there was also a couple of other dudes that are on win streaks that are ahead of him in the rankings too that were available."

He added:

"But I knew it was gonna happen. I wasn't surprised. I said something about it a while back, like, I heard that the Magomed and Rakic fight, that was already being booked back in May or some sh** like that."

Jamahal Hill explained that the Pereira-Prochazka rematch would've likely gone down at UFC 307 but took place much earlier because of Conor McGregor's injury withdrawal from UFC 303.

Concerning the theory that Ankalaev isn't receiving a U.S. visa, prefers fighting in the Middle East, and that Pereira doesn't want to fight him there, 'Sweet Dreams' simply asserted:

"I don't care."

Check out Hill's comments below (6:00):

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Jamahal Hill shares take on Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic matchup

Elsewhere during the aforementioned interview, Jamahal Hill alluded to Alex Pereira recently hinting at taking some time off to rest and heal. Many foresee Ankalaev defeating Rakic at UFC 308 and fighting Pereira next.

Hill explained that he's reassessed the Ankalaev-Rakic matchup and feels it'd be a fight much closer than most expect.

'Sweet Dreams' is seemingly indifferent to the outcome of his rivals' fights and is focused on winning his comeback match and re-entering the light heavyweight championship picture. Jamahal Hill has long been lobbying for a rematch against archrival Alex Pereira, while Pereira has appeared to be open to their possible second encounter.