Jamahal Hill Says Pereira Sparked UFC PI Altercation
On December 5, 2024, Jamahal Hill and Pereira had a heated exchange at the Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Early coverage described a near-fight over their proposed rematch. In June 2026, Hill later said the encounter had been planned to build interest in a bout; that was his retrospective account of the viral video.
The December 2024 encounter
Video from the Las Vegas training facility showed Hill approach Pereira and the two exchange words. The confrontation escalated when Pereira put down a pair of gloves and invited Hill to spar; Pereira’s coach, Plinio Cruz, stepped between them before it became physical. MMA Fighting’s report on the footage and Sportsnet’s December 5 report describe the encounter.
What they said at the time
Hill said he approached to discuss a rematch. He later explained that he would not take part in an unsanctioned fight at the facility, saying a brawl could jeopardize future opportunities. His account was reported by MMA Fighting.
Pereira told MMA Junkie that the incident happened, but said he was focused on himself and Hill’s next matchup with Jiří Procházka. He added that a win could give Hill another chance to face him. MMA Mania reported Pereira’s comments. MMAUSA’s related report from the same week covered his response as well.
What happened next
Hill did face Procházka at the January 18, 2025 event in Inglewood, California. Procházka won by third-round TKO at 3:01, according to the official result. Hill’s next bout was against Khalil Rountree Jr. on June 21, 2025; Rountree won by unanimous decision, with scores of 49–46, 50–45 and 50–45, per the official scorecards.
Hill’s later account
In a June 2026 interview, Hill said he and Pereira had planned the viral encounter to help build a fight and said there had never been real animosity between them. This later statement changes how the 2024 scene should be understood, but it remains Hill’s account of what was planned. MMA Mania published the interview report on June 21, 2026.
Sources
- MMA Fighting: video and account of the December 5 encounter
- Sportsnet: report on the confrontation
- MMA Fighting: Hill’s explanation the following day
- MMA Mania: Pereira’s response
- Official scorecards for the January 2025 event
- Official scorecards for Hill–Rountree
- MMA Mania: Hill’s June 2026 interview
