UFC 323 had enough chaos in the cage to last a year, but one of the night’s most shocking incidents occurred away from the spotlight. As the cameras shifted from legends to celebrities inside the arena, few noticed that two former champions, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Jamahal Hill, were having their own heated moment off to the side.

What began as a miscommunication escalated into Hill threatening to knock out the Hall of Famer, a sentence no one expected to hear on the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year. And by the time the video went viral, no one knew what caused it—only that security had intervened, and Jedrzejczyk refused to back down. The tension was strange, unexpected, and instantly viral. But instead of letting speculation drag on, the Hall of Famer chose to speak for herself.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk addresses the Jamahal Hill altercation with a major statement

Joanna Jedrzejczyk‘s video message on X was firm yet controlled, as one might expect from someone whose career has included both brutality and grace. “I worked so hard to earn my reputation, and I am embarrassed to be in this situation,” she said, addressing what happened without naming Jamahal Hill directly.

What mattered to her was the accusation that her name had been used “falsely” and the threat that came with it. “For that, I do not deserve to be threatened.” She utilized the opportunity to widen the lens, saying she was aware of her own strength and privilege as a fighter while also acknowledging that most women lack the platform or power to respond when disrespected.

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That, more than the altercation itself, seemed to drive her statement: a reminder of what she expects from the sport and its athletes. “I certainly expect more from athletes in our sport,” she added, thanking UFC security for intervening and declaring the matter closed. Hill, for his part, has been silent.

No clarification, apology, or explanation for why ‘Sweet Dreams’ shouted, “I’ll knock you the f— out” at a retired strawweight champion in front of the cameras. And now that Jedrzejczyk has drawn a line under it, the weight of the moment falls fully on his shoulders—as well as on a fanbase that is still trying to figure out how things escalated so quickly.

Jedrzejczyk’s image is built on results, legacy, and five title defenses that still shape the division. So, when she says the matter is closed, she means it. But the clip of the altercation will not be forgotten so easily, especially as it shows how rapidly respect can crack, even between champions who have previously shared the same stage. And it would also be interesting to see how the UFC decides to respond to it.

Hill to be shown the door by the UFC?

When Jedrzejczyk closed the book on the altercation, the spotlight moved totally towards Jamahal Hill, and that’s when things got awkward for the former champion. A three-fight losing streak is difficult to justify in a stacked division, but when combined with another public incident, his position becomes even more fragile. Moments like this are remembered, and the UFC is far less patient when a fighter isn’t winning.

What makes matters worse is that this isn’t Hill’s first encounter with controversy outside the Octagon. In late 2023, he was arrested in Michigan and charged with misdemeanor aggravated domestic violence following an alleged confrontation with his brother, which he later denied, claiming he acted in self-defense. It’s still a blemish on his record, and when combined with the UFC 323 altercation, it paints a picture that the company doesn’t like dealing with.

And while none of this guarantees that he’ll be cut, the pattern is hard to ignore. Slipping results, a crowd turning against him, and now a viral clash with a Hall of Famer create the same pressure points that the UFC has acted on before. If “Sweet Dreams” can’t get things under control soon, both inside and beyond the cage, UFC 323 may be remembered as the moment he was pushed out of the company’s plans.