Tag: Khalil Rountree Jr.

BREAKING: Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr. Light Heavyweight Title Match – UFC 307 Fights Revealed

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. UFC 307UFC president Dana White just made a series of official announcements regarding UFC 307, including Alex Pereira vs. Khalil…

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. UFC 307

UFC president Dana White just made a series of official announcements regarding UFC 307, including Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. with light heavyweight crown on the line.

UFC 307

UFC 307 will be hosted at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Poatan’ Alex Pereira, the popular Brazilian fan-favorite will again fight in a UFC title match. He has gone a perfect 4-0 in the light heavyweight division defeating former title-holders Jan B?achowicz, Jamahal Hill, and Ji?í Procházka twice. ‘Poatan’ won and has defended his throne all by way of knockout.

On October 5, he will face the US-born Khalil Rountree Jr. who is on a five-fight win streak in the light heavyweight division. Most notably, he is coming off an impressive knockout win over former title contender Anthony Smith. The US-born athlete will look to use his Muay Thai to stop the division king.

Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña

Also featured at UFC 307, Raquel Pennington will put her recently won bantamweight title on the line against the former division champion Julianna Peña. Pennington is currently on a six-fight win streak. “The Venezuelan Vixen” will look to recapture her former gold.

Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira

As we had previously reported for UFC 307, the October 5 event will also see Olympic medalist Kayla Harrison face the top-ranked Ketlen Vieira, likely for a number one contender slot.

UFC 307 Kayla
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 13: Kayla Harrison reacts to the end of the round in a bantamweight fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Aljamain Sterling vs. Movsar Evloev

UFC 307 will also host the unbeaten grappling machine Movsar Evloev will look to continue his attack on the featherweight division against Aljamain Sterling. “Funk Master” is a former title contender at bantamweight who is now competing at featherweight, and just coming off of a win against Calvin Kattar.

The fight card will also see Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista, Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland, and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley. UFC 307 in Salt Lake City booked for October 5 is full of great matchups.

Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree

UFC 307 was yet another card saved by Alex Pereira as he put on a memorable performance against Khalil Rountree, an opponent who unexpectedly gave him a tough fight. The challenger landed several clean shots in the first two rounds, keeping fans worldwide at the edge of their seats. However, Pereira eventually altered his game […]

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UFC 307 was yet another card saved by Alex Pereira as he put on a memorable performance against Khalil Rountree, an opponent who unexpectedly gave him a tough fight.

The challenger landed several clean shots in the first two rounds, keeping fans worldwide at the edge of their seats. However, Pereira eventually altered his game plan and unleashed his gas tank in the third to sway the momentum and win via TKO in the fourth.

The UFC 307 main event was anything but boring, which explains why fans weren’t happy with Jamahal Hill yawning in the audience. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has finally opened up on his true intentions behind the reaction…

Jamahal Hill Calls Out ‘Disrespectful’ MMA Fans For Misunderstanding His Reaction To Alex Pereira Knocking Out Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

Hill recently broke down all UFC 307 fights on his YouTube channel. Before diving deep into the main event, he claimed his yawning reaction was misunderstood by the media.

“Sweet Dreams” gave Rountree his props for giving the UFC light heavyweight kingpin a run for his money in the first two rounds. The challenger performed much better than his expectations in every way. In contrast to what Hill had predicted, Rountree landed efficiently, had decent cardio, and showed exceptional durability.

“It’s crazy how y’all see a clip with no context, no nothing and y’all just be ready to talk s**t and just attack and come disrespectful as ever. And it’s like hilarious, all right. So, now, I wasn’t miked up, or anything like that, so I couldn’t explain the context of the yawn and things like that after the fight. I think I did hear a reporter told Alex, “Oh, Jamahal said the fight was boring.” I never said the fight was boring.”

Hill also clarified that he never claimed Pereira vs. Rountree to be a boring fight. Him yawning after the main event was a way to tell that he wasn’t surprised or impressed. To prove this, he even reflected on his UFC 307 predictions.

“Now, to the yawn, the yawn at the end was. Was it entertaining? Yes. Was I impressed? No. I was not impressed. You know, I’m ready to go. Did I see anything in the cage that scares me or that I didn’t expect to see? No. So, as far as reacting and everything, I don’t think I really need to do much of a reaction to this fight because, before, if you watch, or you watch my breakdowns, you can see I told you exactly how the fight was going to go.”

To be fair to Hill, he did mention Rountree’s inability to land counters against properly set-up shots, especially jabs. He also mentioned that the challenger would gas early as the height disadvantage would compel him to explode to hit “Poatan”. Both these predictions were indeed on point.

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Finally Explains Yawning After Alex Pereira Beat Khalil Rountree at MMA News.

Khalil Rountree Jr. Wants To Honor Murdered Father’s Name At UFC 307

Khalil Rountree Jr. recently shared his determination to pay tribute to his late father by securing a victory at UFC 307. “The War Horse” has a chance to bring his dreams to life as he prepares to challenge reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, […]

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Khalil Rountree Jr. recently shared his determination to pay tribute to his late father by securing a victory at UFC 307.

“The War Horse” has a chance to bring his dreams to life as he prepares to challenge reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rountree Jr. has been a fixture on the UFC roster since 2016, delivering numerous highlight-reel performances. However, many MMA fans may not be familiar with his personal journey. The Ultimate Fighter season 23 alum carries a legacy tied to his father, Roderick Khalil Rountree, who was a road manager for the iconic music group Boyz II Men.

Tragically, in May 1992, when “The War Horse” was just two years old, his father was murdered by three armed robbers at the Gold Coast hotel in Chicago.

The unfortunate demise of his father cast a shadow over Rountree Jr.’s early years, leading him down a dark path of substance abuse that nearly cost him his life. Struggling to cope, he seemed headed for self-destruction before discovering MMA, which became the key to turning his life around.

Rountree Fights To Honor His Father & Sees UFC Title As Perfect Tribute

During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Rountree Jr., revealed that his path into fighting was driven by a deep need to pay tribute to his late father. The Californian expressed that this title shot is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work and dedication. He sees this opportunity as a moment to bring new honor to his family’s legacy, especially in memory of his father.

“I think, for me, it’s everything that I’ve worked for, really. Not knowing my dad growing up, but knowing what happened to him,” Rountree Jr. said. “I always just wanted to — or, not always, but there came a time, especially when I started fighting, that I wanted to honor him and make something of myself so that I can imagine him looking down and being proud.”

“Like ‘wow, my son was this kid that had no courage and locked himself inside his room’ to — ‘wow, this guy’s fighting lions in the cage for a world championship.’ So it’s really big, and I’m so excited for this moment and just to be able to be in this situation to bring more honor and more light to the work that my father did and also the work that I’ve put in.”

“The War Horse” is currently on an impressive five-fight winning streak, with his last appearance in the Octagon being a third-round knockout of Anthony Smith in December 2023. Rountree Jr. faced a setback this past May when he was handed a 4.5-month ban after testing positive for a steroid hormone. However, the suspension was lifted on September 18.

Continue Reading Khalil Rountree Jr. Wants To Honor Murdered Father’s Name At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Provides His Prediction For Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

Stephen Thompson recently shared his forecast for the UFC 307 main event clash between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree. “Poatan” is set to defend his UFC light heavyweight title for the third time, this time against Khalil Rountree in the headlining bout of the upcoming pay-per-view on October 5, taking place at the Delta Center […]

Continue Reading Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Provides His Prediction For Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Stephen Thompson recently shared his forecast for the UFC 307 main event clash between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree.

“Poatan” is set to defend his UFC light heavyweight title for the third time, this time against Khalil Rountree in the headlining bout of the upcoming pay-per-view on October 5, taking place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Pereira enters this fight riding high off back-to-back successful title defenses against former champions earlier this year. His most recent victory came in June at UFC 303, where he delivered a stunning second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in their short-notice rematch.

Since joining the UFC in November 2021, the Brazilian’s trajectory has been steadily skyward. After conquering the middleweight division, he made the leap to light heavyweight, and with just one victory at 205 pounds to earn a title shot, he seized gold with a TKO win over Prochazka at UFC 295 last November.

Meanwhile, “The War Horse” is making his return after serving a 4.5-month suspension for testing positive for a steroid hormone, with the sanction lifted on September 18. He is currently riding a five-fight win streak, with his latest victory being a third-round knockout of Anthony Smith last December.

Despite being a UFC veteran since 2016, Rountree has often been viewed as someone who hasn’t quite realized his full potential. However, UFC 307 will finally give him his long-awaited first shot at the gold.

Thompson Believes Pereira vs. Rountree Will Come Down To Who Outstrikes The Other

During a recent interview with Bodgog Canada, Thompson shared his thoughts on the upcoming Pereira vs. Rountree title fight at UFC 307. While “Wonderboy” clearly favored the the reigning champion, he didn’t shy away from commending Rountree’s top-tier striking ability. He predicted that with both being more comfortable on the feet, the fight will likely be stand-up heavy and determine who the better striker is.

“I’m leaning towards Pereira as well, but I think it’s a great fight because both guys are very dangerous fighters,” Thompson said. “Khalil Rountree has got some of the best striking as well; it comes from that Muay Thai background, so basically this is going to be a Muay Thai fight. This is going to be a standup battle, toe-to-toe, to see who’s going to be the better striker.”

The former UFC welterweight title challenger further explained his clear inclination toward “Poatan,” citing Pereira’s impressive track record. Thompson highlighted Pereira’s devastating one-punch knockout power, coupled with his significant reach advantage, as key factors that make him a formidable force against Rountree.

“Obviously, I’ve got to lean towards my man Alex Pereira just because of his credentials and what he’s done in the 185 and 205 [pound] divisions in the UFC. I mean, he’s got a left hook with one-hitter-quitter power. Now, Rountree is big and strong, but can he close the gap? Alex Pereira’s got the longer reach, he’s very calm, and he’s very precise—he’s like a sniper out there when it comes to his strikes. It’s a very hard fight, but I think it’s going to be exciting.”

“Wonderboy” is also set to compete at UFC 307 in a welterweight bout against Joaquin Buckley, marking his return to the Octagon after a 10-month break.

Continue Reading Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson Provides His Prediction For Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Khalil Rountree Receives Lighter Sentence After Self-Reporting PED Usage

Khalil Rountree can now breathe a sigh of relief, having recently received a reduced penalty for self-reporting his use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). “The War Horse” withdrew from his scheduled bout against Jamahal Hill in the co-main event of UFC 303 on June 29, after disclosing that he had tested positive for a banned substance […]

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Khalil Rountree can now breathe a sigh of relief, having recently received a reduced penalty for self-reporting his use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

“The War Horse” withdrew from his scheduled bout against Jamahal Hill in the co-main event of UFC 303 on June 29, after disclosing that he had tested positive for a banned substance known as Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a type of steroid hormone.

Rountree explained that he had been using a customized supplement and that the provider had mistakenly delivered a tainted product containing the prohibited substance.

However, according to a recent report by MMA journalist John Morgan, the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) announced on Thursday that Rountree’s ongoing sanction, which began on May 4, has been reduced to four and a half months.

Alongside the suspension, which wraps up on September 18, “The War Horse” has been ordered to pay prosecution fees amounting to $157. The NAC highlighted that Rountree’s proactive self-reporting played a crucial role in mitigating his penalty.

With the reduced suspension, Rountree is now cleared to participate in his eagerly awaited title bout against reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, slated to headline UFC 307 on October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rountree is coming off a third-round knockout victory over former title challenger Anthony Smith at a Fight Night event in December 2023. He is currently riding a five-fight win streak, including finishes over Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson, and Modestas Bukauskas.

Continue Reading Khalil Rountree Receives Lighter Sentence After Self-Reporting PED Usage at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen Feels Khalil Rountree Fight Will Fast Track Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Move: ‘The Best Way, Get Him Beat!’

Chael Sonnen recently suggested that Alex Pereira’s upcoming clash with Khalil Rountree could be the ideal launchpad for the Brazilian’s much-anticipated leap into the UFC heavyweight division. “Poatan” is gearing up to defend his light heavyweight crown for the third time as he faces Rountree in the headline bout at UFC 307, slated for October […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Feels Khalil Rountree Fight Will Fast Track Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Move: ‘The Best Way, Get Him Beat!’ at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen recently suggested that Alex Pereira’s upcoming clash with Khalil Rountree could be the ideal launchpad for the Brazilian’s much-anticipated leap into the UFC heavyweight division.

“Poatan” is gearing up to defend his light heavyweight crown for the third time as he faces Rountree in the headline bout at UFC 307, slated for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

However, numerous fans have voiced their apprehensions about the matchup, pointing to Rountree’s ongoing suspension for the unintentional intake of the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Meanwhile, others argue that Magomed Ankalaev, currently on a 12-fight unbeaten streak, would have been a more fitting contender for the 205-pound title.

As for Pereira, anticipation is swirling around his future, with many wondering what’s next for the striking phenom who has already claimed titles in two weight classes. He has hinted at the possibility of moving up to the heavyweight division, where he could potentially become the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion.

However, before he can chase that historic milestone, “Poatan” must first conquer the formidable challenge posed by the heavy-hitting Rountree. Sonnen believes that the fight with “The War Horse” could be pivotal in shaping Pereira’s path forward…

Sonnen Thinks Pereira Will Jump To Heavyweight If Rountree Hands Him A Loss

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen delved into the upcoming title clash between Pereira and Rountree. The former UFC middleweight title contender remarked that “The War Horse” might be the most stylistically challenging opponent Pereira has faced to date.

“Khalil Rountree is going to roll over Alex Pereira,” Sonnen said. “So all of this talk about Khalil not deserving a [title shot], Khalil should not be in those positions—there’s only one person that needs to believe that, and that is Alex Pereira. It’s a very, very dangerous fight, and why on Earth take the risk? We think that we know, whether we do or not, but we have a consensus as to why not Ankalaev?”

Sonnen went on to suggest that the quickest and most efficient path for “Poatan” to transition to the heavyweight division would be if he suffers a defeat at the hands of Rountree at UFC 307. Such a loss would relieve him of the obligation to defend his 205-pound title.

“The best way to get Alex to heavyweight—because we can’t make him a heavyweight tomorrow if he’s got the 205-pound belt—is to remove the 205-pound belt from the equation. We could all agree with that, right? Anyone not fighting for a title can move weight classes right now. So, the best way to get him to heavyweight is not to clean out the division and keep doing more work and saying all the right things on social media. That is a way, but it takes a lot of time and some luck. The best way? Get him beat, get the belt off him, and he’s free to become a heavyweight.”

Pereira has been an unstoppable force since his commanding entrance into the 205-pound division, starting with a decision victory over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291. He went on to capture the vacant light heavyweight title in a showdown with Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 and has since successfully defended his crown, notching two defenses within just two months. Most recently, he delivered a stunning second-round knockout against Prochazka in a rematch at UFC 303.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Feels Khalil Rountree Fight Will Fast Track Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Move: ‘The Best Way, Get Him Beat!’ at MMA News.