Alex Pereira Knocks Out Jamahal Hill in First Round to Claim UFC Light Heavyweight Title

Alex Pereira captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night, knocking out Jamahal Hill with a devastating left hook at 2:47 of the first round at UFC 305 in Sydney, Australia, becoming just the ninth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two different weight classes.

The 36-year-old Brazilian striker was patient and calculated in his approach, using his superior reach and boxing technique to keep Hill at the perfect distance before landing the fight-ending blow. Pereira's knockout punch came as Hill attempted to close distance aggressively, with the former kickboxing champion timing a perfect counter left hook that dropped the American face-first to the canvas.

"This is a dream come true," Pereira said through a translator during his post-fight interview. "To become champion in two divisions is something very special. Jamahal is a dangerous fighter with heavy hands, but my experience and preparation made the difference tonight. I want to be active champion and fight the best guys at 205 pounds. This division has many killers, and I'm ready for all of them."

Hill had started aggressively, using his speed and footwork to land several clean jabs and leg kicks in the opening minutes. The 32-year-old former champion looked confident and relaxed, but his forward pressure ultimately led to his downfall when he walked into Pereira's picture-perfect counter-punch that ended the contest immediately.

The knockout was particularly impressive given that Pereira was moving up from middleweight, where he previously held the UFC title before losing it to Sean Strickland in 2024. His ability to carry his knockout power to the higher weight class while maintaining his speed and timing demonstrates why many consider him one of the most dangerous strikers in mixed martial arts.

Pereira's championship victory sets up potential mega-fights later in 2026, with former champions like Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira already expressing interest in title shots. His combination of knockout power, proven championship experience, and marketable personality makes him one of the UFC's biggest stars, and performances like this only enhance his growing reputation as one of the most feared strikers in the sport. The Brazilian's rapid ascent to two-division champion status places him among the elite names in UFC history.