Michael Bisping and Jamahal Hill praise Anthony Smith for fighting despite the illegal knee by Jon Jones

Jamahal Hill is set to face Glover Teixeira for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283. The No.7-ranked light heavyweight and former middleweight champion Michael Bisping recently praised Anthony Smith for continuing to fight after being illegally kneed in the head by Jon Jones at UFC 235.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

@GloverTeixeira to take on @JamahalH for the vacant LHW title at #UFC283! https://t.co/JQOpACa6u4

Hill recently appeared on the BELIEVE YOU ME podcast where Michael Bisping asked how he would react to an illegal knee. Hill responded by stating:

"I gotta fight bro, I gotta fight. It would depend on the knee. Definitely would depend on the knee, but, for the most part, I want to fight. I want to be crowned champion off of a highlight."

Bisping revealed that he was just joking with Smith before commending Hill, noting:

"No, I know. I'm just taking the piss out of Anthony and what happened with Jon Jones... He did the right thing because we're f**king men. We don't want to win like that. We're just teasing."

While Smith could have stayed on the ground and become the light heavyweight champion, he chose to continue fighting. Jon Jones was deducted two points for the illegal knee, however, he would still win the fight by unanimous decision as all three judges scored the bout 48-44.

Watch Michael Bisping and Jamahal Hill discuss the illegal knee delivered by Jon Jones to Anthony Smith below (starting at the 9:42 mark):

Jamahal Hill reveals that he reached out to Anthony Smith following the news of title opportunity

Jamahal Hill was set to face Anthony Smith in March 2023 prior to being pulled from the bout to fight for the light heavyweight title at UFC 283 next month. Hill recently shared that he reached out to the the former light heavyweight title challenger following the announcement.

Speaking to John Morgan of MMA Underground, the No.7-ranked light heavyweight stated:

"I actually did reach out to Anthony Smith, just on some respect thing. I already know that was not news that he wanted, and it's not something that I really wanted for him, but it was just an opportunity that I had to take... Me being me, I'm gonna reach out to him and him being him, he was like, 's**t, motherf**ker, I know, I would have done the same thing."

It is unclear if Smith will still headline UFC Fight Night 221 in March 2023, however, he did reveal that he will serve as the alternate for the light heavyweight title fight at UFC 283. Additionally, the No.6-ranked light heavyweight will help Hill prepare for his first opportunity to capture the light heavyweight title.

Watch Jamahal Hill discuss reaching out to Anthony Smith below:

How cool is this?!?!

Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) says after he got his #UFC283 title shot, out of respect, he reached out to Anthony @lionheartasmith, who he was supposed to fight, to discuss his choice. Smith's reply?

"Sh-t, motherf-cker, I know. I would have did the same thing." https://t.co/rGrmySJCx3