Jamahal Hill addresses if language barrier intensified PI altercation with Alex Pereira: "He kind of stopped translating to me"
Things are heating up between Jamahal Hill and Alex Pereira as Hill recently revealed details of his furious altercation with Pereira. Furthermore, he explained whether the language barrier between them escalated the entire incident.
Hill and Pereira came face to face earlier this month at UFC PI where the former champion was adamant on confronting Pereira. After that, 'Poatan' challenged him to meet inside the cage next to them by throwing a pair of gloves at him. However, Hill refused, saying he wouldn't fight Pereira for free, as MMA coach Plinio Cruz stepped in to defuse the situation.
Hill recently shared his side of the story in an interview with James Lynch on Bodog Canada's YouTube channel. 'Sweet Dreams' asserted that the person translating Pereira's remarks stopped doing so as things began to intensify.
In addition, Hill said that he is relieved that the competitive spirit between them still exists and that the issue isn't that serious:
''After he [Pereira] said that last part he [translator] kind of stopped translating to me, he kind of stopped translating what he was saying to me. The situation ain't even that serious bro, it's a fun interaction, I mean seeing that competitive fire is there, he's down to go, I'm ready to step up and fight him...as ready to go, to step up and fight.''
Check out Jamahal Hill's comments below (9:55):
Like Hill, Pereira isn't too concerned about the situation. In an interview with MMA Kings at the MMA Awards earlier this month, the Brazilian hinted at a rematch with Hill if the latter overcomes Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311 next year.
Pereira came out victorious in their first encounter at the historic UFC 300 pay-per-view event, as he secured a quick opening-round knockout win with a devastating left hook.
Jamahal Hill previews Jiri Prochazka clash at UFC 311
Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka will look to get back in title contention with a potential win as the two are set to face each other at UFC 311.
In the aforementioned interview with James Lynch, Hill gave his take on Prochazka's fighting style, citing that he isn't worried about it as he went on to discuss his strategy.
''My goal and what I do in a fight is implement my will and my game plan, make them fight how I want them to fight. I'm ready for everything, I'm ready to adapt to whatever situations and ready to dominate in whatever way.'' [1:39]