Tag: Khalil Rountree

Breaking – Jamahal Hill set for quickfire return after Alex Pereira loss, fights Khalil Rountree at UFC 303 in June

Jamahal Hill set for quickfire return after Alex Pereira loss fights Khalil Rountree at UFC 303Just a week removed from his blistering first round knockout loss to incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira at…

Jamahal Hill set for quickfire return after Alex Pereira loss fights Khalil Rountree at UFC 303

Just a week removed from his blistering first round knockout loss to incumbent light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira at UFC 300, former division titleholder, Jamahal Hill is already set for his Octagon return – taking on the streaking striking contender, Khalil Rountree at UFC 303 in June during International Fight Week.

Hill, who slipped to number three in the official light heavyweight rankings off the back of his second loss under the promotion’s banner, headlined UFC 300 in a title offing against Pereira, dropping a one-sided first round knockout loss.

Alex Pereira retains title finishes Jamahal Hill with hellacious first round KO UFC 300 Highlights
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa lLC

As for Rountree, the Californian striker, who currently holds the number eight rank at 205 pounds, most recently took out former championship challenger, Anthony Smith at UFC Vegas 83 back in December with a dominant eventual third round TKO win, earning himself Performance of the Night honors to boot.

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Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

News of Jamahal Hill’s quickfire return against Khalil Rountree on June 29. was officially confirmed on the UFC’s official X account.

Jamahal Hill books UFC 303 return against Khalil Rountree

“Another banger coming to International Fight Week,” UFC posted. “@JamahalH vs. @KhalilRountree is locked in for #UFC303.” 

Returning against Pereira for the first time since he ruptured his achilles tendon last summer, Hill became the first fighter produced from Dana White’s Contender Series to land Octagon spoils, with a unanimous decision win over former champion, Glover Teixeira in January of last year in Brazil.

In the midst of an impressive five fight winning rise, Rountree, 34, had turned in devastating and violent knockout victories over Modestas Bukauskas, Karl Roberson, and Dustin Jacoby before his finish of Nerbraska veteran, Smith at the end of last year.

Khalil Rountree stops Anthony Smith with brutal KO win at UFC Vegas 83 highlights

UFC 303 takes place on June 29. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada during International Fight Week, with a welterweight headliner between former two-division champion, Conor McGregor, and lightweight contender, Michael Chandler set to take main event honors. 

Who wins at UFC 303 in June: Jamahal Hill or Khalil Rountree?

Michael Bisping Delivers Brutally Honest Take on Anthony Smith’s Short-Notice Showdown against Khalil Rountree

Michael Bisping gets brutally honest with Anthony SmithMichael Bisping was brutally honest while looking back on Anthony Smith’s decision to accept a short-notice scrap with rising…

Michael Bisping gets brutally honest with Anthony Smith

Michael Bisping was brutally honest while looking back on Anthony Smith’s decision to accept a short-notice scrap with rising contender Khalil Rountree.

Smith, who regularly appears alongside the former middleweight world champion on the Believe You Me podcast, stepped up on two weeks’ notice to face Rountree as part of a UFC Fight Night event in December. ‘Lionheart’ was stopped in the third round via TKO.

‘The Count’ couldn’t help but question why Smith would have accepted the bout considering the high risk and low reward.

“I’m happy to hear that you still want to fight, but if you want to fight, you’ve got to be a little more meticulous about it, if you don’t mind me saying,” Bisping said on the latest episode of the podcast. “I’ll be honest: I said it when we watched the fight on the live (broadcast), and I didn’t want to go into it because it’s like I was betraying you or whatever. I hated it. I was on a walk – I think it was Thanksgiving day when I got the message – and I found out you were fighting. I hated it.

“I f*cking hated it. I didn’t understand it. You’re a fighter, 100 percent, and you’ve got balls of steel. You’re like, ‘F*ck it, let’s go. I can do this.’ I think with the trend lately of people stepping up on short notice, Tom Aspinall going out there and doing it, and Volkanovski stepping up. All right, he lost. But it’s been kind of a thing, people stepping up on short notice. You only really do that when there’s something worth risking it for. I did it, but that was a title fight. I didn’t understand it because you gained nothing from that” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Michael Bisping Refuses to take anything away from khalil rountree’s performance

Anthony Smith admitted that his pride is what ultimately pushed him into accepting the fight against one of the division’s most destructive knockout artists.

With the loss, ‘Lionheart’ has now dropped three of his last four contests, including back-to-back defeats against Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. He got back into the win column in August by way of a split decision over Ryan Spann, but the setback against Rountree dropped him to the No. 10 spot in the light heavyweight rankings.

“You’ve just got to be more professional with it, as you say, in between camps with your weight and stuff like that leading up to fights and just making the correct choices,” Bisping added. “I would love to see you fight on a full camp against Khalil – and we can’t take away from Khalil’s performance. He did tremendous. But the purpose of a fight camp is not only to get you in shape, it’s to get you mentally ready, as well.”

Do you agree with Michael Bisping’s assessment?

Khalil Rountree alleged to have knocked out ex-UFC star Lyoto Machida years ago: ‘I have footage somewhere’

Khalil Rountree alleged to have knocked out UFC star Lyoto Machida I have footage somewhereEmerging as a knockout force at the light heavyweight limit, surging division finisher, Khalil Rountree allegedly knocked out former…

Khalil Rountree alleged to have knocked out UFC star Lyoto Machida I have footage somewhere

Emerging as a knockout force at the light heavyweight limit, surging division finisher, Khalil Rountree allegedly knocked out former division champion, Lyoto Machida earlier in his mixed martial arts career, according to UFC analyst and desk host, Karen Bryant. 

Rountree, who is likely set to crack the light heavyweight division’s top-10 come the release of the new rankings tomorrow, turned in his fifth consecutive victory at UFC Vegas 83 over the course of the weekend in a co-main event return.

Landing his fifth consecutive win and fourth knockout stoppage as part of that impressive winning streak, Rountree stopped former title challenger, Anthony Smith with a third round knockout win at the UFC Apex facility.

Khalil Rountree alleged to have KO’ed Lyoto Machida earlier in his career

The victory came as Rountree’s ninth career knockout from thirteen total wins, adding to prior stoppages of Chris Daukaus, Modestas Bukauskas, Gokhan Saki, and Paul Craig of note during his Octagon tenure.

And staking his claim for a big-name fight in his next walk, during the UFC Vegas 83 post-fight show, Rountree appeared to have been caught on the spot – with above-mentioned analyst, Bryant alluding to footage she obtained of the Californian knocking out Brazilian icon and former light heavyweight champion, Machida earlier in his career. 

Laying out his immediate plans for the future, The Ultimate Fighter alum, Rountree claimed fans are clamouring for a light heavyweight title fight between himself and incumbent gold holder, Alex Pereira in the near future. 

“Say they [the UFC] put me at number ten and not number eight, where Anthony (Smith) was – so from nine up, in my opinion, and i think in the fans’ opinion, the most exciting fight would be me versus (Alex) Pereira,” Khalil Rountree told assembled media after UFC Vegas 83. “That’s just what I’ve seen from comments. After Alex’s win, I got flooded, people tagging me, and I think it makes sense.”

Who would you like to see Khalil Rountree fight after his UFC Vegas 83 win?

Khalil Rountree calls for title fight with Alex Pereira after UFC Vegas 83 win: ‘It just makes sense’

Khalil Rountree calls for title fight with Alex Pereira after UFC Vegas 83 it makes senseOff the back of last night’s standout win over former title challenger, Anthony Smith at UFC Vegas 83, surging…

Khalil Rountree calls for title fight with Alex Pereira after UFC Vegas 83 it makes sense

Off the back of last night’s standout win over former title challenger, Anthony Smith at UFC Vegas 83, surging light heavyweight contender, Khalil Rountree claims a championship showdown with division kingpin, Alex Pereira “makes sense” for him next.

Rountree, the current number eleven ranked light heavyweight contender – who is likely set to crack the division’s top 10 next week, turned in his fifth consecutive victory at UFC Vegas 83 overnight in a co-main event slot, laying waste to short-notice replacement, Smith with a thunderous third round TKO at the UFC Apex facility.

Alex Pereira called out by Khalil Rountree for UFC title fight

Turning in his fourth victory via knockout in his five most recent fights, The Ultimate Fighter alum, Rountree claimed a bout with Sao Paulo knockout artist, former middleweight champion-turned light heavyweight gold holder, Pereira makes total sense to him next.

“Say they [the UFC] put me at number ten and not number eight, where Anthony (Smith) was – so from nine up, in my opinion, and i think in the fans’ opinion, the most exciting fight would be me versus (Alex) Pereira,” Khalil Rountree told assembled media after UFC Vegas 83. “That’s just what I’ve seen from comments. After Alex’s win, I got flooded, people tagging me, and I think it makes sense.”

“Two dynamic, powerful strikers, I don’t plan to shoot any takedowns,” Khalil Rountree explained. “I don’t think I’ve ever shot for a takedown in my career. I don’t think he’s necessarily going to shoot for any takedowns, because the guy’s a warrior. So, then you have two explosive, dynamic [strikers] in my mind, it just makes sense.” 

Winning vacant light heavyweight spoils in the headliner of UFC 295 back in November, former middleweight kingpin, Pereira stopped former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a blistering second round knockout win at Madison Square Garden. 

Would you like to see Khalil Rountree fight Alex Pereira next?

Khalil Rountree stops Anthony Smith with brutal uppercut KO – UFC Vegas 83 Highlights

Khalil Rountree stops Anthony Smith with brutal KO win at UFC Vegas 83 highlightsSurging light heavyweight contender, Khalil Rountree has turned in the most high-profile win of his mixed martial arts career…

Khalil Rountree stops Anthony Smith with brutal KO win at UFC Vegas 83 highlights

Surging light heavyweight contender, Khalil Rountree has turned in the most high-profile win of his mixed martial arts career to date, landing an eventual third round knockout win over former title challenger, Anthony Smith — as part of a now extended five-fight winning streak in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 83.

Rountree, the current number eleven ranked light heavyweight contender, landed his fight consecutive victory and fourth knockout stoppage in his five most recent fights, handing Smith a stoppage defeat with a perfectly-placed third round uppercut shot and follow-up left hand.

Adding to prior wins over the likes of Modestas Bukauskas, Dustin Jacoby, and a stoppage of Chris Daukaus, Rountree — an alum of The Ultimate Fighter, managed to bloody veteran Nebraska native, Smith in the first round around his right eye with a slew of well-placed strikes.

And having wobbled the former light heavyweight title challenger in the second round, Rountree then landed a third round stoppage over Smith, forcing him staggering backwards and eventually to the Octagon canvas courtesy of a right uppercut which came before a left hook shot.

Below, catch the highlights from Khalil Rountree’s win over Anthony Smith at UFC Vegas 83

Sean Strickland accuses Khalil Rountree of being in a cult following post-fight snub

Khalil RountreeKhalil Rountree has zero interest in paying outspoken middleweight contender Sean Strickland any attention. In fact, Rountree refuses to even acknowledge the impending 185-pound title challenger’s existence. On Saturday night, Khalil Rountree extended his win streak to four with a nasty first-round knockout against Chris Daukaus at UFC Vegas 78. The California native moved to […]

Khalil Rountree

Khalil Rountree has zero interest in paying outspoken middleweight contender Sean Strickland any attention. In fact, Rountree refuses to even acknowledge the impending 185-pound title challenger’s existence.

On Saturday night, Khalil Rountree extended his win streak to four with a nasty first-round knockout against Chris Daukaus at UFC Vegas 78. The California native moved to 8-5 inside the Octagon and took another big step toward breaking into the light heavyweight division’s top ten. Following the bout, Rountree spoke with members of the media, but it was made abundantly clear that one particular subject was off-limits.

Asked about his rivalry with the always controversial Sean Strickland, Khalil Roundtree was quick to quell the conversation, suggesting that he has no idea who ‘Tarzan’ even is.

“I don’t even know who that is, dude,” Rountree said. “You guys keep asking me about this name. I don’t even know this person.”

In 2022, Strickland targeted Khalil Rountree after the budding 205-pound contender delivered an emotional post-fight speech regarding his struggles with mental health. Strickland immediately directed his aim at Rountree, calling him a “PC beta male” and a “special needs” person. Rountree refused to engage and instead took the high road, hoping that Strickland would one day “learn to be a better person.”

With Sean Strickland gearing up for a high-profile world title fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September, it’s understandable why members of the media are quick to bring up the embattled middleweight scrapper whenever the opportunity presents itself, but clearly, Roundtree was not having it.

Sean Strickland Accuses Khalil Rountree of Being in a Cult

As expected, it didn’t take long for Sean Strickland to respond in his own unique way. Taking to Instagram, ‘Tarzan’ accused Khalil Rountree of being in a cult. Specifically the ChoiceCenter Leadership University, an organization that offers “adult and teen personal development and leadership courses using experiential learning to elevate Emotional Intelligence (EQ).”

“When your level 100 @choicecenter tells you not to talk, you listen…,” Strickland wrote in response to Roundtree’s post-fight snub on Saturday night.

Strickland also attempted to start a #FreeRoundtree hashtag while doubling down on his claim that the ChoiceCenter Leadership University is a glorified cult. “You guys I’m not messing with you @choicecenter is a cult. We gotta rescue Roundtree,” he added.