Khalil Rountree

The War Horse

USA

Easily handles Jamahal Hill
Light HeavyweightUFC
June 21, 2025
Rountree defeated Jamahal Hill via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
ANALYSIS
It was a massive rebound performance from Rountree on the heels of his knockout loss to Alex Pereira in a title fight last October. There isn't a ton to break down about this fight from a technical standpoint. The two men engaged in a 25-minute kickboxing match, with Rountree constantly and overwhelmingly getting the better of the action. Hill was again hesitant and ineffective, and that opened the door for Khalil to pull ahead. Rountree was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight, a Round 3 knockdown. That, combined with how well Rountree defended, led to an easy victory. Rountree is already 35 years old, so the odds are against him earning another title shot, but he's won six of seven dating back to September 2021. The light heavyweight division has virtually no depth up top, so never say never.
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Fight vs. Hill finally booked
Light HeavyweightUFC
April 11, 2025
Rountree will take on Jamahal Hill at UFC Baku in a light heavyweight headliner on Jun. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The War Horse will finally get his match against Hill after the pair's headliner in Kansas City was cancelled. Rountree is coming off a loss to Alex Pereira in a title shot who Hill also lost to last April, so both fighters will be looking for a bounce-back win and hopefully future shots at another title match.
Won't headline UFC Kansas City
Light HeavyweightUFC
April 1, 2025
The light heavyweight matchup between Rountree and Jamahal Hill won't be the headliner of UFC Kansas City on April 26 anymore, and while the fight is still scheduled to happen, it'll be moved to a later date, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The new headliner for the UFC event in Kansas City will be the matchup between Carlos Prates and Ian Garry. The bout between Hill and Rountree will still occur, and an announcement on the new date and venue is expected to be provided in the near future. Rountree is looking to bounce back after losing to Alex Pereira in his most recent fight.
Draws Hill in main event
Light HeavyweightUFC
February 27, 2025
Rountree will take on Jamahal Hill in a light heavyweight matchup in the main event of UFC Kansas City on April 26.
ANALYSIS
Rountree managed to parlay a five-fight winning streak into a title shot against Alex pereira last October, but like most others who go toe-to-toe with Pereira, he came up short. He now draws a former title contender in Hill, who also has a loss to Pereira on his ledger, as well as a January loss to Jiri Prochazka. It's essentially a fight to remain on the fringes of title contention in the 205-pound division. Rountree will be giving up height and reach advantages to Hill, who also has noteworthy statistical edges in striking volume and striking defense. Neither has much of a wrestling game to speak of, so look for this one to play out on the feet.
Overwhelmed in quest for UFC gold
Light HeavyweightUFC
October 5, 2024
Rountree came up short in his quest for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, falling to Alex Pereira via TKO (punches) at 4:32 of Round 4 at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
Entering as a +360 underdog, Rountree fought as well as could be expected. He was the better fighter for the first 10 minutes, mainly because he was able to avoid Pereira's power shots. Yet, Khalil visibly and significantly gassed out as the fight progressed. His movements became more labored, and he absorbed far too much punishment beginning late in Round 3. It all fell apart in Round 4. Alex unloaded with big blow after big blow, and Rountree had no answer. In Khaili's defense, he absorbed dozens and dozens of blows that would have put away any mere mortal. Referee Marc Goddard finally pulled the plug with 28 seconds remaining in the frame. The 34-year-old Rountree seemed to be on the way out of the UFC after losing three of four fights from November 2018 to January 2021. The fact he even competed for a title with the company is remarkable, and he put forth a worthy showing in the process -- one which merited a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus when it was all said and done.
Slated for headlining bout
Light HeavyweightUFC
August 16, 2024
Rountree will take on Alex Pereira for the Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rountree will look to extend his wining streak that dates back to 2021. He's bested five straight opponents, most recently topping Anthony Smith in the third round of a December 2023 showdown. Complicating this matter is the fact that Rountree recently had his temporary suspension for a USADA violation extended by the Nevada Athletic Commission, but it sounds like he's in the clear now if the promotion is comfortable enough to schedule this title fight. Pereira, the current champion, is also riding a winning streak that includes consecutive title defenses. This is a bit of puzzling matchmaking, and expect Rountree to enter this fight as a massive betting underdog.