Khalil Rountree gives insider details after striking war against ex-UFC champion gets postponed

Khalil Rountree talks about his fight against Jamahal Hill being canceled and potentially getting rescheduled for UFC Azerbaijan.

Khalil Rountree gives insider details after striking war against ex-UFC champion gets postponed

Khalil Rountree opens up about fight cancellation against Jamahal Hill (via X)

Khalil Rountree is undoubtedly one of most interesting light heavyweight fighters on the UFC roster. In his last outing, he faced the former champion Alex Pereira and gave him a solid fight, getting the attention of fight fans. Going forward, Rountree was excited to share the octagon with Jamahal Hill, but, the MMA gods had some other plans. 

Hill, who lost to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311, was eager to make a comeback. His fight with Rountree was set to headline UFC Kansas City in April. Unfortunately, the fight was called off, leaving Rountree disappointed. In a recent YouTube video, Rountree shared his frustration and provided updates about his future plans.

Usually, they don’t give too many details as to what the injury is or whatever, but they did tell me that it was an injury and that he needed more time to recover from this injury, which is why they’re going to postpone the fight. Hopefully, we stay matched up, just at a later date.

Khalil Rountree via his YouTube channel 

As for rescheduling the fight, reports suggest it may take place at the inaugural UFC Azerbaijan event. The UFC is planning the Azerbaijan event, tentatively scheduled for June 2025 at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku. This event will mark the promotion’s debut in Azerbaijan, making it the 31st country to host a UFC event.

These new events are UFC’s plan to expand its global presence and brand popularity in new countries. This strategy allows the promotion to tap into untapped markets, grow its fanbase, and showcase international fighters. Hosting events in diverse locations helps the UFC maintain its position as the world’s premier MMA organization.

Like Azerbaijan, UFC has also planned to hold events in other parts of the world. As for UFC Kansas City, after Hill vs. Rountree got scrapped, Ian Garry and Carlos Prates signed up to fight. However, it’s safe to say that the hype behind Rountree taking on the former light heavyweight champion was something else. 

UFC veteran predicts Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree 

Jamahal Hill is known for his powerful striking and athleticism, making an impact with his aggressive fighting style. His UFC legacy is built on his resilience, finishing ability, and growth as a fighter, winning the belt at UFC 283. Hill’s striking technique is fluid, utilizing sharp combinations, distance control, and knockout power to dominate opponents.

Khalil Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill fight prediction
Khalil Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill fight prediction (via XMMA Fighting)

However, after winning the belt, he had to vacate it due to an injury that kept him outside for a year. ‘Sweet Dreams’ returned to challenge Alex Pereira for the belt and got knocked out in the first round. In a recent interview, veteran welterweight fighter Geoff Neal talked about the fight and picked Rountree against Hill. 

That’s a good fight though. I can’t pick that one because I like them both. Who did Khalil last fought? I agree that he’s gonna be the favorite. He should be the favorite. 

Geoff Neal via James Lynch 

Rountree is recognized for his explosive knockout power and aggressive striking, making him a dangerous opponent in the octagon. Rountree’s striking style blends raw power with Muay Thai techniques, using leg kicks and devastating punches to finish fights. In his last fight against Pereira, he managed to somewhat overwhelm ‘Poatan’ on the feet before losing the bout via TKO.

Can Khalil Rountree become the light heavyweight champion?

The current light heavyweight division is stacked with top contenders such as Jan Błachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, and others who bring a strong blend of striking and knockout power to the table. Khalil Rountree has the potential to be a contender again in the UFC light heavyweight division, but whether he can become the champion depends on a few key factors.

Khalil Rountree is fighting Alex Pereira at UFC 307
Khalil Rountree is fighting Alex Pereira at UFC 307 (via MMA Fighting)

He possesses excellent striking power and a well-rounded game, as seen in his impressive performances, especially his knockouts. However, for Rountree to become the champion, he would need to continue refining his skills, especially in areas like fight IQ, cardio, and consistency. 

Rountree will have to continue his evolution and make improvements in his wrestling and defensive skills. After that, he could absolutely challenge for the title for the second time and potentially win it. For now, he needs to get himself active and fight Jamahal Hill as soon as possible to regain momentum.

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