Hill says December 2024 clash with Pereira was staged to bypass Ankalaev, but Ankalaev later won the title

Jamahal Hill said the heated confrontation with Alex Pereira at the UFC Performance Institute in December 2024 was staged. Hill told Home of Fight that he and Pereira orchestrated the viral moment, which showed the pair nearly coming to blows before being separated by gym staff. "We planned that," Hill said.

Hill said he wanted to leapfrog Magomed Ankalaev in the title picture before Pereira defended against Ankalaev. "Before, for Magomed, I was trying to jump the line over Magomed because I didn't want Ankalaev to fight him because I knew, I called it," Hill said. Hill stated there has never been any beef or animosity between him and Pereira.

Hill said he speaks to Pereira's family regularly and maintains a cordial relationship with Pereira's team, including coach Glover Teixeira. Pereira and Hill headlined UFC 300 in April 2025. Pereira had previously stalled his fight with Ankalaev.

Ankalaev won the light heavyweight belt from Pereira at UFC 327 in February.