Jamahal Hill (12-3, 1 NC) enters this matchup in dire need of a rebound after suffering consecutive knockout defeats—first in a title bout against Alex Pereira, and then in a high-stakes clash with Jiri Prochazka.
Despite the recent setbacks, Hill remains a notable figure in the light heavyweight division as the first Dana White’s Contender Series graduate to capture UFC gold, a feat he achieved with a commanding decision win over Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 on January 21, 2023.
His path to the title was paved with knockout victories over Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker, and Thiago Santos. However, after vacating the belt due to injury, Hill now finds himself on a tough reset. Against Khalil Rountree Jr., Hill will likely return to his signature range striking—leveraging his long frame and crisp, straight punches to dictate distance.
While his precise boxing and composure once defined his rise, two straight knockouts have exposed concerns about his chin. Managing range and avoiding mid-range trades where Rountree excels will be critical.
Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-6, 1 NC) also arrives looking to regroup after a fourth-round TKO loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024. That defeat snapped a career-best five-fight winning streak, which featured brutal stoppages of Chris Daukaus and Anthony Smith.
Known for his ferocity and explosive striking, Rountree had finally found consistency at light heavyweight, but Pereira’s clinical finish halted his momentum. In this clash, Rountree will try to close the distance quickly, unload violent combinations, and pressure Hill into mistakes. His aggressive approach is lethal in close quarters, but he’s historically struggled with opponents who control pace and range.
To win, Rountree must force Hill into pocket exchanges while avoiding Hill’s counters. In what promises to be a violent, range-vs.-power chess match, both men have moments early, but Hill’s straight shots and cleaner entries tilt the momentum in his favor.
Pick: Jamahal Hill 2.25 | Dafabet
Rafael Fiziev (12-4) faces a must-win scenario in his bout with Ignacio Bahamondes after dropping three consecutive fights. Once one of the division’s most feared strikers, Fiziev stormed onto the scene following a debut loss in 2019, racking up six straight wins with highlight performances against Renato Carneiro, Bobby Green, and Rafael dos Anjos.
However, his recent skid—most recently a decision loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 313—has cooled his ascent.
Fiziev, a decorated Muay Thai technician, will come out with aggression, looking to dictate pace through explosive leg kicks, rapid-fire combinations, and pressure fighting. While dangerous early, he’s shown vulnerability in extended exchanges and has struggled with gas management in later rounds.
Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5) continues to climb the lightweight ladder after submitting Jalin Turner at UFC 313, his third straight win.
The Chilean striker, who burst onto the UFC radar with a knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, now owns a 6-2 promotional record with five finishes. His recent victories over Trey Ogden and Manuel Torres showed his evolving stand-up, but his submission of Turner revealed a newly sharpened ground game as well.
Bahamondes will bring a reach and height advantage, high-volume striking, and the versatility to mix in grappling if needed. His strategy will revolve around maintaining range with jabs and front kicks, gradually building pressure while avoiding Fiziev’s early barrages.
Bahamondes weathers the opening storm, frustrates Fiziev with lateral movement, and steadily chips away at his opponent’s gas tank. As Fiziev begins to fade in Round 3, Bahamondes lands a perfectly timed head kick and swarms with ground-and-pound to earn the late finish.
Pick: Ignacio Bahamondes 2.05 | Dafabet
