Jamahal Hill sent a message at UFC Vegas 48 to the rest of the light heavyweight division Saturday night.
Hill went in there and knocked out wild sensation Johnny Walker in less than three minutes in the main event.
Walker started out aggressively, probing with his kicks that put Hill on the careful approach. But near the middle, Hill started pushing forward and suddenly landed a big right hand that knocked Walker down and out at 2:55.
Respect 🤝 #UFCVegas48 pic.twitter.com/Lz0wl6N8qd
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2022
With the win, Hill (10-1-0, 1NC) has won three of his last four fights and will likely enter the top 10 in the rankings. Walker (18-7-0) has now last four of his last five fights and is now on the UFC bubble.
Count 'em 𝑭𝑶𝑼𝑹 💸
Stephanie Egger, @DavidOnama145, @KyleDaukaus, & @JamahalH earn your POTN honors at #UFCVegas48! pic.twitter.com/n8ONOVePWQ
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2022
Hill, Kyle Daukaus, Stephanie Egger, and David Onana all earned performances of the night and a $50,000 USD bonus apiece. There was no Fight of the Night award.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
MARIO BAUTISTA DEF. JAY PERRIN VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
JONATHAN PEARCE DEF. CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ VIA UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
CHAD ANHELIGER DEF. JESSE STRADER VIA KO (PUNCH) R3 3:33
GLORIA DE PAULA DEF. DIANA BELBITA VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
CHAS SKELLY DEF. MARK STRIEGL VIA TKO (KNEES AND PUNCHES) R2 2:01
STEPHANIE EGGER DEF. JESSICA-ROSE CLARK VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 3:44
DAVID ONANA DEF. GABRIEL BENITEZ VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 4:24
MAIN CARD
JOAQUIN BUCKLEY VS. ABDUL RAZAK ALHASSAN
Left it all in the Octagon 👏 #UFCVegas48 pic.twitter.com/gsIgEW5ooD
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2022
WINNER: JOAQUIN BUCKLEY VIA SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOAQUIN BUCKLEY VIA TKO
Andrews: That was close. Give credit to Alhassan for battling.
JIM MILLER VS. NIKOLAS MOTTA
Jim Miller does it again 👏
[ @JimMiller_155 | #UFCVegas48 | Tune in LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/To9U0FTvNJ
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2022
WINNER: JIM MILLER VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 1:58
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JIM MILLER VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Motta was doing good until he got caught.
PARKER PORTER VS. ALAN BAUDOT
A clean sweep across the board for @Parker_Porter 🧹
[ #UFCVegas48 | We’re LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/dd5c5oaO87
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2022
WINNER: PARKER PORTER VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PARKER PORTER VIA TKO
Andrews: Porter didn’t get the finish, but finished strong in the last round.
KYLE DAUKAUS VS. JAMIE PICKETT
WITH 1 SECOND LEFT IN THE ROUND 🤯
[ @KyleDaukaus | #UFCVegas48 ] pic.twitter.com/NYMsWKBERF
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2022
WINNER: KYLE DAUKAUS VIA SUBMISSION (D’ARCE CHOKE) R1 4:59
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JAMIE PICKETT VIA UD
Andrews: Pickett tapped just in the nick of time. Good win for Daukaus.
MAIN EVENT
#10 JOHNNY WALKER VS. #12 JAMAHAL HILL
The 205lb division was just put on NOTICE 🤯
[ @JamahalH | #UFCVegas48 ] pic.twitter.com/1vNMNXNJSZ
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2022
WINNER: JAMAHAL HILL VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 2:55
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JAMAHAL HILL VIA TKO
Andrews: Hill avoided the wild stuff and then caught Walker to finish quick. He means business.
The next UFC event is UFC Vegas 49, which is scheduled for Feb. 26 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. No. 4 lightweight Islam Makhachev takes on replacement Bobby Green in a 160-pound catchweight fight in the main event.
