Even though it's only his second outing since signing with Bellator MMA, Josh Hill has a clear sense of where he fits within the bantamweight standings.
The Canadian fighter Hill (19-3) is set to face Mexican competitor Erik Perez (19-7) in a bantamweight matchup at Bellator 244 this Friday evening in Uncasville, CT.
Perez carries a strong track record, highlighted by a 6-2 stretch during his time in the UFC. Hill, 33, stated that defeating him would signal to the entire bantamweight division that he's a serious threat, and could open the door to a major bout in his next appearance.
"Bellator's bantamweight division is incredibly deep," Hill told MMA Empire in a conversation. "Patrick Mix and Juan Archuleta are battling for the title, and Sergio Pettis is waiting on the winner of that bout."
"A win over Perez tonight would certainly elevate my standing among the top five, and ideally it could position me for a number-one contender matchup toward the close of this year or the beginning of next."
Hill among Bellator elite
Besides Archuleta, Mix, and Pettis, other competitors including Ricky Bandejas, James Gallagher, and Raufeon Stots are carving out their presence in the division.
No matter the opponent or ranking position, Hill expressed confidence that he handles every fighter Bellator places before him.
"I trust my ability to compete effectively with all of them," Hill stated. "At this stage, I present a challenging matchup for anyone globally."
"They're all talented and resilient fighters, yet I don't see a single person worldwide I can't go toe-to-toe with. I firmly place myself among the top five, and I'd feel comfortable stepping into the cage with any of them at any point."
While Gallagher might not sit at the top of the title conversation right now, he's certainly a recognized name in the bantamweight ranks and commands considerable attention, particularly across his native Ireland.
Facing off with Gallagher is something Hill has been pushing for, dating back to before he even stepped foot in Bellator MMA. Even though he's currently targeting a top-five ranked foe next, Hill made it clear he'd welcome a showdown with Gallagher whenever the opportunity arose.
"That fight would be right at the top of my list without question," Hill stated. "He's a major name, an Irish superstar, especially when Bellator heads overseas. I believe Mix, Archuleta, and Pettis all present tougher challenges than Gallagher does."
"I definitely like that matchup and want to make it happen, but I seriously doubt he'd accept it. Right now, though, my focus is entirely on Perez. Once I get past him, I can start making those calls and building some buzz. One step at a time—Perez comes first."
Bellator monkey off his back
Hill opened his Bellator MMA career in February at Bellator 239, securing a unanimous decision victory over Vinicius Zani.
According to Hill, crossing that initial Bellator victory off his list will give him more freedom moving forward, allowing him to embrace additional risks inside the cage.
"I've officially gotten that weight off my shoulders of starting with a win in Bellator," Hill explained.
"Now that I've accomplished that and I'm riding the momentum of a win, I can let loose a bit more, really show off my abilities, and become a more aggressive risk-taker."
Hill aims to extend his career finish streak to eight when he faces what he described as a gritty, resilient challenger in Perez on Saturday night.
Yet despite Perez's noteworthy track record, Hill insists the bout is his to command—however and wherever he decides.
"He's the type who thrives on applying pressure, with that Mexican-style approach of pressing forward, and he leans heavily toward boxing," Hill noted.
"I'm more of a chess-player in the cage—I circle around constantly, cut angles, and hunt for openings, while also integrating my wrestling effectively. I could picture myself breaking him down and landing a devastating knockout, or dragging him to the mat for a submission. Or I could simply outwork him every round and take a decision."
Hill's Shoutouts
"My appreciation goes out to every sponsor, coach, family member, and supporter who's helped make this journey happen for me." Stay connected with Hill on social platforms: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
