UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney has backed Jamahal Hill to defeat Jiri Prochazka in their potential title fight.
Prochazka vacated the light heavyweight title back in December after suffering a serious shoulder injury. His shoulder required immediate surgery and the Czech-born fighter was sidelined for a minimum of six months. 'Denisa' opted not to hold up the division in his absence and relinquished the 205-pound strap.
Whilst Prochazka was away recovering, Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz fought to a split draw for the vacant title before Jamahal Hill and Glover Teixeira faced off for the gold at UFC 283.
'Sweet Dreams' put on the performance of his career against the Brazilian veteran as he dominated Teixeira across all five rounds. All three judges scored every round in favor of the American as he became the undisputed 205-pound champ.
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Now, with Jiri Prochazka's return to the UFC looming, lightweight prospect Terrance McKinney has backed Jamahal Hill to get the job done against the former champion via TKO. 'T.Wrecks' wrote on Twitter:
"Sweet dreams via tko"
UFC president Dana White confirmed last month that Prochazka would receive an immediate title shot upon his return, regardless of whoever is holding the title:
"I’m not pushing him to return. I want him to take as much time as he needs, and I don’t want him to push that shoulder. I don’t want him to feel like there’s a timeline where we need him back... Whoever has the title when he’s 100 percent healthy, that fight’s waiting for him."
Jamahal Hill reveals conversation he had with Jiri Prochazka at UFC PI
Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill have teased their potential fight in the future. The pair even went face-to-face during the UFC 285 broadcast last weekend.
Prior to their meeting at UFC 285, 'Sweet Dreams' revealed that he and 'Denisa' had bumped into each other at the UFC Performance Institute last month. In a recent interview with 'The Schmo', Hill disclosed the conversation he had with the Czech-born fighter:
"We just shook hands. He's like, 'Hi nice to meet you,' and I was like, 'What's up bro?' and we shook hands... he was doing physical therapy and stuff. He is working to get back and I can't wait for him to be back."
Hill added:
"I'm letting him do his thing. Letting him focus on recovery and yeah, I'm hoping that he makes some significant strides and ends up being the first title defense but like I said, man, somebody else steps up and makes a good case and he is the next man up."
Catch the interview here (3:20):