Jamahal Hill certainly made the most of his first main event, closing UFC Vegas 48 with a brutal ‘Knockout of the Year’ candidate to finish Johnny Walker.
The end came after Hill lunged into an exchange and clubbed Walker with a devastating right hand that seemingly knocked the Brazilian out on his feet, sending Walker tumbling backwards to the canvas. Hill followed up with another punch as referee Jason Herzog rushed in to stop the carnage, with the end coming at just 2:55 of the first round.
“I timed that one coming forward,” Hill said of the finish. It landed perfectly. Because if that one didn’t land, I had another one coming right behind it. It was good .”
DID THIS JUST HAPPEN?
JAMAHAL HILL STUNS JOHNNY WALKER!! #UFCVegas48 pic.twitter.com/xmusGS7N3f
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 20, 2022
Walker displayed his flashy moves as he launched a succession of head kicks. In return, Hill was patient with his own strikes as he marched forward while looking to set up his left hand from the southpaw position.
The repeated kicks from Walker were blocked, but he was doing damage as Hill’s forearms began to swell, however the American continued to press the action. Hill also noticed that he was struggling to connect with his left hand, which forced him to switch to an orthodox stance — and that’s what helped him connect with the punch that ended the fight.
He stepped in his combination. Hill uncorked a right hand over the top that blasted Walker near the temple of his head — and it was as if a switch was flipped, as Walker immediately went out on his feet. The Brazilian fell backwards like a tree in a forest. His head was smashed into the canvas.
Nothing sweet about these dreams #UFCVegas48 pic.twitter.com/eUdU0ltZnJ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 20, 2022
The follow-up punch was just an exclamation point as Hill cemented the win, which moved him to 4-1 with one no contest since joining the UFC roster. Hill has three knockouts from those four victories and is eager to prove to the light heavyweight division that there’s a threat. He also hopes to make a difference in Saturday night’s competition.
” I’m feeling good,” Hill stated. “I just wanted to come out here and show myself again and show what I can do. Stop doubting, start believing.
“I’m ready to come for that Jamahal Hill lands stunning one-punch KO to finish Johnny Walker in UFC Vegas 48 main event
. Right now, we’re going to see. Together, I will meet with my bosses to see .”
what is most logical.