“300 lbs, smoking cigarettes…” UFC star Khalil Rountree battling mental issues breaks down after seeing himself on billboard

Khalil Rountree opens up about overcoming adversity, using MMA as a lifeline from his struggles and inspiring a narrative of determination and triumph in sports.

“300 lbs, smoking cigarettes…” UFC star Khalil Rountree battling mental issues breaks down after seeing himself on billboard

Khalil Rountree battling mental issues (Image via: X)

Khalil Rountree bagged the biggest win of his career at UFC Vegas 83. The third-round TKO victory over Anthony Smith will put him in the top 10 of the light heavyweight rankings. However, he broke down at the post-fight press conference.

Rountree had a troubled past. When he was just two years old, robbers murdered his father. Moreover, he battled severe mental issues in his youth. However, the UFC saved him. He talked about it and broke down at the post-fight press conference. This is what he said.

When I decided to start training mixed martial arts at 19 to 20.......I would have to drive to the gym, weighing 300 lbs, still smoking cigarettes, still depressed...... I'd always see the UFC billboard. As I started to get more familiar with MMA and UFC, that's something that I've seen so many times. That was something that I looked at for motivation..... So that was a part of my motivation to stay dedicated to MMA and to changing my life.
Khalil Rountree via UFC Vegas 83 post fight press conference
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MMA saved Rountree from suicidal thoughts. It was the reason why he broke down after his first main-event fight. Now, on a five-fight win streak, Rountree is one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. He also earned the Performance Bonus for his TKO victory over Smith, a former title challenger. It was his 3rd Performance Bonus in the past four fights.

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In his octagon interview with Paul Felder, Rountree called out champion Alex Pereira. Dana White has already promised the next title shot to Jamahal Hill. However, Hill is at present facing a lawsuit from his brother for domestic violence.

Nevertheless, Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker will headline the first UFC event of 2024. If Hill is unavailable, the next title shot could be for the winner of Walker vs Ankalaev. Rountree remains at least two wins away from a title shot.

Khalil Rountree praises opponent Anthony Smith for living up to his nickname

Anthony Smith was a short-notice replacement for Azamat Murzakanov against Khalil Rountree. The loss to Rountree was the third loss in the past four fights for Smith. Even though Smith had a ranking higher than Rountree, he was the betting underdog, and rightfully so.

Khalil Rountree praises opponent Anthony Smith
Khalil Rountree praises opponent Anthony Smith (via X)

However, Rountree was all praise for Anthony Smith. In his post-fight press conference, this is what Rountree said about Smith:

The guy can last forever. I mean, he can fight 10 more fights if he wants to, I think. That this could have been a much different fight for him had he had a full camp, you know. But he lived up to his name and took a fight against me on 10 days' notice.
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Rountree believed the fight would have had a different outcome if Smith had a full training camp. Moreover, he praised Smith for accepting the fight on short notice and thereby lived up to his nickname, ‘Lion Heart.’ This was not the first time that Smith lived up to his nickname. He famously continued to fight even after Jon Jones landed an illegal knee in their title fight.

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