Khalil Rountree may not have picked up the win to win his first-ever ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) world title against Alex Pereira at UFC 307 a few weeks ago, but “War Horse’s” stock way up in defeat.
Rountree went toe-to-toe against “Poatan” in Salt Lake City, Utah in one of the most entertaining title fights of 2024. While he did enough to hand around for the first three rounds, Pereira eventually started to find his groove, ultimately putting away the tough-as-nails contender in the fourth frame (see it again here).
Despite coming up short and looking worse for the wear, Rountree says he feels good about his performance, especially knowing that fight fans around the world, and the UFC higher-ups, were please with his performance.
“I’ve spoken personally with Dana (White) and Hunter (Campbell) and I feel like I got the steak dinner already because they were entertained,” Rountree told MMA Junkie Radio (via MMA Junkie). “I think for me as a partner with the UFC it’s one of my biggest goals to make sure the guys at the top are pleased with what they see. After speaking with them and them being excited about the performance, they’re definitely pleased,” he added before saying he isn’t too sure what’s next for him inside the cage.
“That felt like a treat in itself. As far as what’s next on the fight end, I think there would be a little bit more room for me to say what I want. But that vision right now is not so clear, he added before confirming that he want’s a Top 5 opponent.
“I think right now any name in the top five or within title contention to me, makes sense,” There’s not one name specifically. There’s not one person who I’m emotionally attached to or a fight I think I deserve next. But I would like to continue to fight people within the top five so I can get another shot at the title. It seems like the majority of the guys are booked or injured, but while I’m healing up there will be a good number of matchups to happen and I would love anybody that sets me up for another title fight.”
A fight between he and Jamahal Hill — who was also last seen on the wrong end of Pereira’s ungodly punches — was floating around in “War Horse’s” mind as a potential comeback fight. And it’s not a bad idea seeing as how both men would love nothing more than to get one back on “Poatan.”
For now, Rountree is sitting back and letting his face heal from all of the damage he took from the Light Heavyweight champion of the world. If a fight against Hill doesn’t come to pass, perhaps this man would be willing to step in.