Hill beats Teixeira to win UFC light heavyweight title
Hill dominated the fight, which went the distance, against the 43-year-old Teixeira
RIO DE JANEIRO: High-flying American Jamahal Hill notched up a unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) win over Brazil's Glover Teixeira to win the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 283, which was held at the Jeunesse Arena on Saturday.
Hill dominated the fight, which went the distance, against the 43-year-old Teixeira.
"Where I came from, to get to this, it's unreal," the 31-year-old Hill said after the match. "Anything's possible. Hard work, dedication, accountability, don't let nobody tell you nothing."
Hill landed 232 significant strikes which is a UFC light heavyweight record and the fifth-most ever. Meanwhile, Teixeira’s total stood at 75 significant strikes.
"The dude is tough as bricks, man," Hill said. "I don't know anybody who can take what I throw and keep going. ... I heard [referee] Marc [Goddard] say keep fighting. Goddammit, he is."
Hill (12-1, 1 NC) has clinched victories in four straight fights. The Chicago-born, who trains out of Michigan, had ended four out of his five UFC wins via Knockout/Technical Knockout.
The 43-year-old Teixeira, who defeated Jan Blachowicz to clinch the title in 2021 only to lose it in his first defence against Jiri Prochazka in 2022, brought the curtain down on his career after the fight.
"In reality, I think I'm too tough for my own good, too tough for my own health. I can't keep up anymore," Teixeira said.
In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno bagged the flyweight title when his opponent Deiveson Figueiredo couldn’t continue beyond the third round due to a cut near his eye.
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