Tag: Khalil Rountree

Dana White justifies Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree: ‘Makes a lot of sense’

Dana White Justifies Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree: "Makes a lot of sense"UFC CEO, Dana White has responded to criticizm of a booked headliner between champion, Alex Pereira and challenger, Khalil…

Dana White Justifies Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree: "Makes a lot of sense"

UFC CEO, Dana White has responded to criticizm of a booked headliner between champion, Alex Pereira and challenger, Khalil Rountree later this year – claiming the pairing “makes a lot of sense” – before challenging Magomed Ankalaev to ‘earn’ a shot at the divisional crown.

Pereira, the incumbent undisputed light heavyweight titleholder and a former middleweight gold holder, is slated to return in two months time at UFC 307, headlining the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City in a title showdown with the surging, Rountree.

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Most recently featuring in the main event of UFC 303 at the end of June, Sao Paulo finisher, Alex Pereira landed a stunning second round high-kick knockout win over former champion, Jiri Prochazka – felling the Czech Republic native for the second time since their first meeting last November.

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As for Rountree, The Ultimate Fighter finalist has been embroiled in an anti-doping violation since he felled former title challenger, Anthony Smith with a third round knockout back in December, however, is set to take on Alex Pereira in his premiere title tilt in the organization.

Dana White defends Alex Pereira – Khalil Rountree booking

And amid scrutiny from former title chaser, Ankalaev – who features just two weeks after Pereira’s return at UFC 308 as he battles Aleksandar Rakic, the Russian has been challenged by White to earn his own title fight next.

pereira walk

“He (Magomed Ankalaev) didn’t get skipped over, he’s got a fight coming up,” Dana White said following the Contender Series overnight. “We were laying the fights out now, Ankalaev’s got a fight lined up, go in there, do your thing, look great, obviously you’re next.”

“We had a to make this fight card and as you go down the line you start looking at it, it’s clear (Khalil) Rountree makes a lot of sense and you said it yourself, ‘No way in hell that’s not a fun one.’” Dana White continued. “Timing is everything.”

Khalil Rountree Will Not Be Looking to Takedown Alex Pereira: “That’s not in my plans.”

Khalil Rountree Will Not Be Looking to Takedown Alex Pereira: "That's not in my plans."Khalil Rountree is ready to give fans a fight to remember this fall. Earlier this month, Dana White revealed…

Khalil Rountree Will Not Be Looking to Takedown Alex Pereira: "That's not in my plans."

Khalil Rountree is ready to give fans a fight to remember this fall.

Earlier this month, Dana White revealed that reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira would headline the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City on October 5. There, ‘Poatan’ will meet Rountree, the division’s No. 8 ranked contender, in a fight that nobody expected to see. At least, not so soon.

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree

News of Rountree’s title shot left a lot of fighters and fans frustrated, many of them believing that there are far more deserving contenders in the division i.e. Magomed Ankalaev. Not to mention the fact that Rountree is currently suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after ingesting the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

As a result, he was forced to bow out of his previously scheduled scrap with Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 in June.

Khalil Rountree

The War Horse’ brings an exciting style to the Octagon that is sure to deliver a banger in SLC, which is probably why the UFC landed on him as Pereira’s next opponent. So don’t expect to see any takedown attempts when Rountree headlines his first pay-per-view on MMA’s biggest stage.

“So check this out: in my career, I have never shot one takedown,” Rountree told The Schmo. “That’s not in my plans, right? I’m here to put on an amazing fight for the fans.

“This one, regardless of what anybody says, this is a fight for the fans. I think with my style, with his style, this fight is not gonna disappoint. So I’m there to do what I do, to do what my fans and everybody knows that I’m capable of. And all I can say is expect expect a banger, man” (h/t MMA Mania).

Standing and trading with Alex Pereira probably isn’t the most sound strategy, but it’s served Rountree pretty well so far.

Khalil Rountree says whether you like it or not, he’s next

As for all the haters, Rountree isn’t concerned with what a bunch of keyboard warriors have to say.

“It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter,” Rountree said. “The fight’s happening regardless of whatever they think or not. The fight’s happening, and it’s gonna be a good one. And that’s all I can say, man.”

Rountree is currently riding a five-fight win streak with four of those wins coming by way of KO. Overall, he has nine finishes in 13 total victories, seven of them coming under the UFC banner. His most recent victory came against perennial contender Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith in December, putting away the one-time title challenger in the third round with a perfectly timed uppercut.

Khalil Rountree

Jan Blachowicz claims Alex Pereira gets ‘Special protection’ after UFC 307 booking with Khalil Rountree

Jan Blachowicz claims Alex Pereira gets 'Special protection' after UFC 305 booking with Khalil RountreeFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz has alluded to apparent “special” treatment from the promotion toward incumbent gold…

Jan Blachowicz claims Alex Pereira gets 'Special protection' after UFC 305 booking with Khalil Rountree

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz has alluded to apparent “special” treatment from the promotion toward incumbent gold holder, Alex Pereira – in response to his matching against surging knockout artist, Khalil Rountree at UFC 305 at the beginning of October. 

Pereira, the current undisputed light heavyweight champion and former middleweight titleholder, is slated to headline UFC 307 later this year in the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah – taking on surging contender, Rountree in his third defense of the 205lbs crown.

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Receiving a slew of negative comments as a result, former titleholder, Jamahal Hill – who has been vocal in his pursuit of a rematch with Pereira, claimed his booking against Rountree was “bad” for mixed martial arts.

“Can’t believe what I just saw announced!!!” Jamahal Hill posted on his X account. “So a guy pulls out of a contender fight because of (sic) failed drug test for a banned substances (sic) and gets rewarded with a title shot?!! This is terrible for the sport and makes the rankings completely pointless!!!”

Daniel Cormier Slams UFC: Why Pereira vs. Ankalaev Fight Was Shelved

Jan Blachowicz unhappy with Alex Pereira’s next booking at UFC 307

Echoing those claims, Polish veteran, Blachowicz – who has yet to receive his own matchup as he recovers from shoulder surgery, claimed the Brazilian was receiving “special protection” from the UFC.

Jan Blachowicz

“With all due respect to Khalil but there are at least two higher ranked contenders who are ready to fight Poatan,” Jan Blachowicz said of Alex Pereira on his official X account. “He doesn’t need special protection.”

In his most recent win, Pereira managed to defend his light heavyweight crown for the second time back in June, landing a dominant second round high-kick knockout win over Jiri Prochazka with a blistering finish in a short-notice main event fight at UFC 303 during International Fight Week. 

Jamahal Hill rips Alex Pereira – Khalil Rountree title fight at UFC 307: ‘This is terrible for the sport’

Jamahal Hill rips Alex Pereira - Jamahal Hill title fight at UFC 307: 'This is terrible for the sport'Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill – who has been vocal in his pursuit of a title rematch…

Jamahal Hill rips Alex Pereira - Jamahal Hill title fight at UFC 307: 'This is terrible for the sport'

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill – who has been vocal in his pursuit of a title rematch with Alex Pereira, has voiced his dismay at the Brazilian’s booking of a title fight with Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 in Ocotber.

Hill, who currently holds the number three rank in the official light heavyweight division, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 300 back in April, dropping a stunning opening round knockout loss to former two-weight champion, Pereira in the pair’s grudge match title clash.

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And forced to withdraw from UFC 303 during International Fight Week, Illinois striker, Hill saw a pairing with Rountree fall to the wayside amid an anti-doping indiscretion from the latter, before injury ruled the former champion from a matchup with Carlos Ulberg.

Daniel Cormier Slams UFC: Why Pereira vs. Ankalaev Fight Was Shelved

Jamahal Hill blasts Alex Pereira, Khalil Rountree title fight at UFC 307

This evening, the promotion have now confirmed how an undisputed light heavyweight title fight between Pereira and Rountree will take main event honors at UFC 307 in the organization’s return to Salt Lake City – much to the disappointment of former champion, Hill.

“Can’t believe what I just saw announced!!!” Jamahal Hill posted on his X account. “So a guy pulls out of a contender fight because of (sic) failed drug test for a banned substances (sic) and gets rewarded with a title shot?!! This is terrible for the sport and makes the rankings completely pointless!!!”

Vocal in his pursuit of a title fight rematch with Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira off the back of his own defeat earlier this annum, Hill claimed he would manage to stop the Brazilian with his own strikes win if they share the Octagon again – whether or not the title is up for grabs. 

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“I’ll sleep the next guy and then we go again!!!” Jamahal Hill posted in regards to Alex Pereira and his knockout win at UFC 303 on his official social media. “Great win but we are not done!!!”

Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Announced As UFC 307 Main Event On October 5

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira’s next title defense has come out of nowhere. Pereira, who is also a former middleweight kingpin on MMA’s biggest stage, has had a standout year thus far, defending the 205-pound gold he won last November twice at the expense of former champs Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka. Both victories […]

Continue Reading Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Announced As UFC 307 Main Event On October 5 at MMA News.

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira’s next title defense has come out of nowhere.

Pereira, who is also a former middleweight kingpin on MMA’s biggest stage, has had a standout year thus far, defending the 205-pound gold he won last November twice at the expense of former champs Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka.

Both victories saw “Poatan” save the day in late-notice headliners, first at the milestone UFC 300 event and then by replacing Conor McGregor’s planned return as the main attraction for International Fight Week this past June.

With two outings in close proximity, many were expecting Pereira to take a decent chunk of time to rest and recuperate. That, however, is not the case.

The Brazilian already has his next assignment in the calendar, with UFC CEO Dana White announcing on Friday that “Poatan” will put his strap on the line against the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree at UFC 307.

The event is set for the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

Continue Reading Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Announced As UFC 307 Main Event On October 5 at MMA News.

Report – Carlos Ulberg replaces Khalil Rountree, set to fight Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 in June

Carlos Ulberg replaces Khalil Rountree set to fight Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 in JuneOff the back of his impressive first round knockout win over Alonzo Menifield at UFC Fight Night St. Louis…

Carlos Ulberg replaces Khalil Rountree set to fight Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 in June

Off the back of his impressive first round knockout win over Alonzo Menifield at UFC Fight Night St. Louis earlier this month, surging light heavyweight contender, Carlos Ulberg has reportedly accepted to replace Khalil Rountree on short-notice at UFC 303 next month, in a co-main event fight against Jamahal Hill.

Ulberg, the current number eleven ranked light heavyweight contender, featured just earlier this month in Missouri, turning in a blistering 12-second knockout win over the above-mentioned, Menifield in the pair’s reworked pairing. Earning a Performance of the Night bonus, Ulberg’s stoppage win came as his sixth consecutive victory.

Carlos Ulberg UFC St. Louis 2

Carlos Ulberg draws Jamahal Hill on short-notice at UFC 303

As for former champion, Hill, the current number three ranked divisional contender headlined UFC 300 last month in a title grudge fight with Alex Pereira, himself suffering a thunderous opening round knockout defeat in his return to the Octagon for the first time in over a year.

Carlos Ulberg UFC St. Louis

News of Carlos Ulberg’s booking against Jamahal Hill in place of a suspension-strikened, Rountree, was first reported by The New Zealand Herald this Thursday evening. 

Prior to his knockout win over Menifield, Ulberg a staple of City Kickboxing under the tutelage of head coach, Eugene Bareman, Ulberg had turned in notable wins over the likes of Ihor Potieria, and Da Un Jung – finishing both with knockout and submission wins, respectively. 

As for Hill, the Dana White’s Contender Series product headlined UFC 283 back in January of last year on enemy territory in Brazil, snatching the vacant light heavyweight crown with a decision win over former champion, Glover Teixeira. 

Jamahal Hill plots rematch with Alex Pereira after booking UFC 303 return I will put him to sleep
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

UFC 303 takes place on June 29. during International Fight Week at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with a welterweight fight between former champion, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler slated to take main event honors.

Who wins at UFC 303 next month: Jamahal Hill or Carlos Ulberg?