Hill ruptures Achilles, vacating UFC light heavyweight title

Once again, the UFC light heavyweight division is without a champion.

Jamahal Hill is relinquishing the 205-pound title after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture, he announced Thursday night on his YouTube channel.

Hill said the "tough injury" will require surgery and keep him on the sidelines "for a while."

"If I had my choice, would I like to give up the belt? No, I wouldn't," Hill said. "You have to be consistent. I understand it's the business. The show must go on. And I'm not exempt from that."

Hill was expected to face Jiri Prochazka, the former light heavyweight champ who surrendered the belt last year because of an injury, in his first title defense.

"Sweet Dreams" acknowledged Prochazka did the right thing and said he wanted to follow in his footsteps.

"He gave up the belt and allowed for others to not hold the division up, to keep the division moving forward, to keep entertaining, to make sure that people had a champion," Hill said. "And I'll do the same."

As the No. 7-ranked contender, Hill got a surprise opportunity to fight Glover Teixeira for the vacant title at UFC 283 in January. He dominated the former champ by unanimous decision.

A title rematch between Prochazka and Teixeira was supposed to take place at UFC 282 last December before Prochazka suffered a shoulder injury and gave up the strap. Instead of keeping Teixeira in a new title fight, the UFC opted to make an already scheduled bout between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant belt. Blachowicz-Ankalaev ended in a split draw, which meant there was still no champion. The promotion then switched gears and booked Hill-Teixeira.

As it stands, only one of the top six light heavyweights is booked for a fight - No. 3-ranked contender and former champion Blachowicz will welcome ex-UFC middleweight champ Alex Pereira to the division at UFC 291 on July 29. Prochazka, Ankalaev, Blachowicz, Aleksandar Rakic, Nikita Krylov, and Johnny Walker make up the top six.

Prochazka, who is fully recovered, tweeted Friday morning he was excited to face Hill and that he appreciated Hill relinquishing the title. Prochazka suggested a fight against the winner of Blachowicz-Pereira as a possibility.

Hill is the first Dana White's Contender Series alum to win UFC gold. He's 6-1 (1 NC) in the Octagon.

The 32-year-old said the UFC has promised an immediate shot at the title when he comes back.

"I already know I'm the real champion," Hill said. "I'm the true champion. And I can't wait to prove it."