Josh Hill (born November 24, 1986) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. Hill competed for such promotions as Bellator MMA, the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), Real Xtreme Fighting (RXF), and TKO Major League MMA. Hill also appeared on Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter.[3]

Josh Hill
BornJoshua Hill
(1986-11-24) November 24, 1986 (age 37)
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Other namesGentleman
NationalityCanadian
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight137 lb (62 kg; 9 st 11 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach66+12 in (169 cm)
Fighting out ofStoney Creek, Ontario
TeamAegis MMA
House of Champions
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1][2]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total28
Wins22
By knockout5
By submission4
By decision13
Losses6
By knockout1
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Hill was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.[4] He started training martial arts at age 20 and took his first professional MMA fight three years later.[5]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Regional MMA edit

Josh Hill took his first fight on two weeks notice and won by second-round TKO.[6]

His fifth pro fight was for the Aggression MMA Bantamweight title. He won the championship with a unanimous decision victory over then undefeated Diego Wilson (5-0).[7]

The Ultimate Fighter edit

Starting his career undefeated, with 8 professional wins, Hill was accepted onto Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter with Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate.[3]

The first episode of the show featured an elimination bout to get into the fighter house. Hill earned his place in the house by winning a majority decision over Patrick Holohan.[8] He lost his quarterfinal bout by unanimous decision to Mike Wooten and was eliminated from the tournament.[9]

World Series of Fighting edit

Josh Hill signed with the World Series of Fighting and made his debut at WSOF Canada 2 against Mike Adams on June 7, 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[10]

In his next fight for the promotion, Hill faced Marlon Moraes for the WSOF Bantamweight Championship on February 12, 2015 in the main event at WSOF 18: Moraes vs Hill. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).[11]

After two fights outside of WSOF Hill returned at WSOF 26 to defeat Bekbulat Magomedov via split decision.[12]

Hill earned a second shot against Marlon Moraes for the WSOF Bantamweight Championship on July 30, 2016 in the main event at WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[13]

Bellator MMA edit

Josh Hill signed with Bellator MMA in November 2019.[14][15] His debut fight came against Vinicius Zani at Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[16]

Hill faced UFC veteran Érik Pérez at Bellator 244 on August 21, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

Hill faced Raufeon Stots at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[18] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[19]

Hill faced Jared Scoggins on December 3, 2021 at Bellator 272.[20] At the weigh-ins, Jared Scoggins missed weight for his bout, weighing in at 140 pounds, 4 pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Scoggins was fined 35% of his purse which went to Hill.[21] Hill would go on to win the fight via KO at 0:56 of round 2.[22]

Hill was scheduled to face Enrique Barzola on April 22, 2022 at Bellator 278.[23] Due to the pull out of two fighters from the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix due to injuries, the bout was changed to a wild card qualifier for one of the spots in the tournament.[24] Due to Covid, Hill had to pull out of the bout.[25]

Hill was scheduled to face Matheus Mattos at Bellator 284 on August 12, 2022.[26] However, Mattos pulled out due to a knee injury requiring knee surgery and was replaced by Marcos Breno.[27] Hill lost the bout via unanimous decision.[28]

Hill faced Cass Bell on March 10, 2023 at Bellator 292.[29] At the weigh-ins, Cass Bell weighed in at 145.2 pounds, 9.2 pounds over the non-title bantamweight fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Bell being fined 50% of his purse, which went to Hill.[30] Hill won the fight via split decision.[31]

On January 23, 2024, he announced that he was no longer with the promotion.[32]

Personal life edit

Josh was a volunteer firefighter before opening his gym and becoming a fulltime fighter.[5]

Hill does color commentary for BTC Fight Promotions.[33]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts edit

  • Aggression MMA
    • Aggression MMA Bantamweight Championship (One time)[7]

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
28 matches 22 wins 6 losses
By knockout 5 1
By submission 4 0
By decision 13 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 22–6 Kasum Kasumov Decision (split) Bellator 298 August 11, 2023 3 5:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win 22–5 Cass Bell Decision (split) Bellator 292 March 10, 2023 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Catchweight (146 lb) bout; Bell missed weight.
Loss 21–5 Marcos Breno Decision (unanimous) Bellator 284 August 12, 2022 3 5:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Win 21–4 Jared Scoggins KO (punch) Bellator 272 December 3, 2021 2 0:56 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout; Scoggins missed weight.
Loss 20–4 Raufeon Stots Decision (unanimous) Bellator 258 May 7, 2021 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 20–3 Érik Pérez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 244 August 21, 2020 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 19–3 Vinicius Zani Decision (unanimous) Bellator 239 February 21, 2020 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 18–3 Gilberto Aguilar Submission (rear naked choke) Fight Night 11: Lethbridge September 28, 2019 1 2:38 Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Win 17–3 Jesse Arnett KO (punches) TKO 48 May 24, 2019 2 2:11 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Loss 16–3 Taylor Lapilus Decision (split) TKO 45 December 7, 2018 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 16–2 Grachik Engibaryan Submission (rear naked choke) Fight Nights Global 72 August 24, 2017 1 4:12 Sochi, Russia
Win 15–2 Xavier Alaoui Decision (split) TKO 36 November 4, 2016 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 14–2 Marlon Moraes KO (head kick and punch) WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2 July 30, 2016 2 0:38 Everett, Washington, United States For the WSOF Bantamweight Championship.
Win 14–1 Bendy Casimir Decision (unanimous) Fight Night 1 April 9, 2016 3 5:00 Rama, Ontario, Canada
Win 13–1 Bekbulat Magomedov Decision (split) WSOF 26 December 18, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–1 Ioan Vrânceanu Decision (unanimous) RXF 19 August 31, 2015 3 5:00 Galați, Romania Featherweight bout.
Win 11–1 Josh Rettinghouse Submission (rear naked choke) GWFC 2 May 30, 2015 3 2:01 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Loss 10–1 Marlon Moraes Decision (unanimous) WSOF 18: Moraes vs. Hill February 12, 2015 5 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada For the WSOF Bantamweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Mike Adams KO (punch) WSOF Canada 2 June 7, 2014 1 4:20 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 9–0 John Fraser Decision (unanimous) Score Fighting Series 5: Fraser vs. Hill August 25, 2012 3 5:00 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Win 8–0 Eric Wilson Decision (unanimous) Score Fighting Series 4 March 16, 2012 3 5:00 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Win 7–0 Federico Lopez Decision (unanimous) Global Warriors FC 1: Uprising August 13, 2011 3 5:00 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Win 6–0 Darin Cooley Decision (unanimous) Score Fighting Series 1 June 10, 2011 3 5:00 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 5–0 Diego Wilson Decision (unanimous) AMMA 6: Punishment March 11, 2011 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Won Aggression MMA Bantamweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Brent Franczuz Submission (rear naked choke) W-1 MMA 5: Judgment Day June 19, 2010 3 4:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 3–0 Dennis Gagne TKO (punches) W-1 MMA 4: Bad Blood March 20, 2010 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 2–0 Randy Turner Decision (unanimous) Wreck MMA: Fight for the Troops December 12, 2009 3 5:00 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Win 1–0 Vito Attanasi TKO (punches) W-1 MMA 3: High Voltage October 10, 2009 2 1:42 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Sources[34][35]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Ryan Dorfman. "Gustavo Lopez: Combate's Champion". mymmanews.com.
  2. ^ "Gustavo Lopez | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "'Ultimate Fighter' Season 18 cast revealed, including LaRosa, Baszler, Modafferi". MMA Junkie. 15 August 2013.
  4. ^ Bagnoli, Melissa. "Interview with Josh Hill, Ultimate Fighter - CHCH". www.chch.com. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  5. ^ a b "Coaches - Josh Hill". Vision Quest MMA.
  6. ^ "Fight Path: From hockey to grappling to MMA for Score Fighting Series 4's Josh Hill". MMA Junkie. 15 March 2012.
  7. ^ a b Grienke, Keith (23 May 2011). "Josh Hill Talks Aggression Title And Score Fighting Series". Top MMA News.
  8. ^ Billington, Roy (July 16, 2014). "Dubliner Holohan's UFC debut one of redemption". Sportsnet.
  9. ^ Johnston, Mike (October 16, 2013). "Hill edged by Wootten in competitive TUF 18 tilt". SportsNet.
  10. ^ Juon, Steve (Feb 7, 2015). "WSOF 18: Undefeated TUF 18 alum Josh Hill talks Bantamweight title shot, Miesha Tate and more". MMA Mania.
  11. ^ "Marlon Moraes defeats Josh Hill". MMA Decisions.
  12. ^ Segura, Danny (2015-12-18). "WSOF 26 Results: Palmer vs. Almeida". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  13. ^ "WSOF 32 Results: Moraes Stops Hill, Palmer Recaptures Featherweight Belt". Combat Press. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  14. ^ Radley, Scott (November 22, 2019). "Binbrook's Josh Hill is fighting his way back to the spotlight". The Hamilton Spectator.
  15. ^ King, Nolan (November 6, 2019). "Bellator MMA signs three fighters, including former WSOF title challenger Josh Hill". MMA Junkie.
  16. ^ Lynch, James (August 18, 2020). "Bellator 244's Josh Hill on Erik Perez: "If I Land On Him, I'm Going To Put Him To Sleep"". Cageside Press.
  17. ^ Tavana, Ben (August 22, 2020). "Bellator 244 Results: Josh Hill Defeats Erik Perez Via Unanimous Decision".
  18. ^ King, Nolan; Hannoun, Farrah (4 March 2021). "Raufeon Stots vs. Josh Hill in the works for Bellator 258". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  19. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 258 'Archuleta vs. Pettis' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  20. ^ "Kyoji Horiguchi faces Sergio Pettis at Bellator 272". Asian MMA. 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  21. ^ "Bellator 272 weigh-in results". MMA Junkie. 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-12-03). "Bellator 272: Josh Hill Puts Oversized Jared Scoggins to Sleep". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-12-04.
  23. ^ "Bellator 278 adds Enrique Barzola vs. Josh Hill to lineup for Hawaii". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
  24. ^ "Bellator adds two wild card bouts, four fighters to bantamweight grand prix". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-22. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  25. ^ "Bellator bantamweight grand prix takes another hit with Josh Hill withdrawal". MMA Junkie. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  26. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-07-12). "Six Fights Added to Bellator 284, Vanderford and Hill Return". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  27. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2022-07-28). "Josh Hill now meets Marcos Breno at Bellator 284 with Matheus Mattos injured". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  28. ^ "Com atuação estratégica, Marcos Breno derrota Josh Hill no card preliminar do Bellator 284". SUPER LUTAS (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  29. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2023-01-11). "Bellator 8-man Lightweight World Grand Prix lineup announced, will start March 10". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  30. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 292 Weigh-in Results: Title Fight Set; Bell 9 Pounds Heavier Than Hill". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  31. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 292 'Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  32. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-01-24). "Josh Hill, Sabah Homasi Among New Free Agents Following PFL Purchase of Bellator". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  33. ^ Lynch, James. "TKO 48's Josh Hill Talks Jesse Arnett Matchup, Training at Team Alpha Male & Working For BTC Fights". MMA Odds Breaker.
  34. ^ "Tapology - Josh Hill". Tapology.
  35. ^ "Sherdog - Josh Hill". Sherdog.