UFC's Khalil Rountree feels 'most confident' in a while heading into Jamahal Hill fight
UFC's Khalil Rountree feels 'most confident' in a while heading into Jamahal Hill fight
LAS VEGAS - Khalil Rountree is embracing the opportunity to headline another UFC event.
Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) will look to rebound from his title loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 307 when he takes on former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the UFC on ABC 8 main event on June 21 from Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.
"I think it's a great main event for people to watch," Rountree told MMA Junkie and other reporters during the TUF anniversary scrum. "You got two big strikers going in there, and I'm ready. I'm glad that the UFC called me. I've been training a lot, I've learnt from my mistakes in the Alex fight, and just went right back to work. Still got some scars but they're healed, they're not going to open back up. My mind's good, my heart's good, and we get to travel. So, I'm really fired up about this match. I feel good about this matchup, and this is the most confident I've been in a while. So, I'm ready to share that with the fans."
Rountree received plenty of praise for his valiant effort against Pereira, where he won Rounds 1 and 2 on all judges' scorecards before "Poatan" rallied to finish him in Round 4. While Rountree's stock got higher, he's not entirely fulfilled.
"The only pride that I have in that fight is the ability to win the hearts of the fans," Rountree said. "The fact that the fans saw my heart in the fight, and I got appreciation for just going in there and giving my all. But when I watch the fight myself, no pride.
"Only corrections because I didn't get that far just to get that far. I'm still gutted for it. My goal, my dream, my focus right now is the belt, and that night I came up short. Just putting on a good performance for the fans isn't enough for me. So, I'm back in the game, I'm locked and loaded, and ready to be the champion."
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