Jamahal Hill: “I want Jiri Prochazka in August”

For his first defense of the UFC light heavyweight championship, Jamahal Hill has set a deadline and states Jiri Prochazka will determine whether it can be met.

Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who won decisively over Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in January to win the vacant 205-pound title, is motivated to return to the octagon before the summer is out. His ideal opponent is Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), but there is no guarantee that he will be ready because the former champion is still suffering from a serious shoulder injury that necessitated surgery.

Hill indicated that this is the fight he most desires, but he is losing patience. Hill stated he'll move on from Prochazka if he isn't prepared for the recently announced UFC 292 event on August 19 in Boston.

“I’m hearing maybe August (in Boston) – hopefully we get that in and get that contract soon,” Hill told. “I’m not trying to wait past August.

That’s all I know. I don’t want to wait past summer. Whether it’s Jiri or whoever steps forward, I’m ready to get it in.

“Whoever steps forward (if Prochazka isn’t ready), because right now, no one else make sense for real.

Some guys are going to have to make some leaps or whatever to put themselves out and separate themselves from the pack. Whoever that is, that’s who I’ll take on.”

The foundation has already been set for a battle between Hill and Prochazka. Prochazka never lost the belt in the octagon; instead, he relinquished it because of an injury, and "Sweet Dreams" now holds it. Following Hill's title victory against Teixeira, the two engaged in a heated cacage-sidegeside scuffle at a recent UFC event, and their exchange on social media went viral.

Who will win if these two met in the Octagon? Comment and let us know.