Latest news with #KhalilRountreeJr.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Khalil Rountree Jr. lists necessary changes made after Alex Pereira UFC title fight loss
Khalil Rountree Jr. lists necessary changes made after Alex Pereira UFC title fight loss Khalil Rountree Jr. knew changes were necessary in order to capture the UFC light heavyweight title. Rountree Jr. (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) got his first opportunity to reach that goal at UFC 307, but was outmatched by then-champion Alex Pereira. In the main event of the UFC's first trip to Azerbaijan, Rountree Jr. will have the chance to return to the win column by taking on former champion Jamahal Hill. As the saying goes, you either win or you learn, and Rountree Jr. appears to have taken many lessons from the fight against Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC). As he prepares for Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), Rountree Jr. reveals he made multiple changes to his fight camp. "I think one of the most important things after the Alex fight, for me, was to continue to progress," Rountree Jr. said in a video on his YouTube channel. "So, after even talking to my wife and breaking down the video, thinking what could I have done better? Even though I put in a really good camp and I did my best in that camp, but I always try to think there's always room for improvement, no matter what. "And so, a few of the things, I felt like I could have improved in my strength. I think I could have had an extra ear in my corner to let me know moments when my opponent was hurt that I could have capitalized on. And I think just a little bit more support. So, right after the fight, that's immediately what I went after." The Fight of the Night battle against Pereira didn't produce the title victory Rountree Jr. hoped for, but he took away many positives from the fight. He is aware that the pinnacle of the light heavyweight division is within reach, but in order to reach it, he couldn't take the same approach. Rountree Jr.'s striking carried him through a five-fight winning streak to earn his first title shot. On the path to a second, he knew that working on his ground game was an important step. "Another thing that I wanted to improve on was my grappling," Rountree Jr. said. "As I climb the ranks and get closer to becoming the champion, knowing that there's going to be guys coming after me to get the belt, I want to be a well rounded fighter – and I want to be the best version of myself that I can be, in all areas." For his grappling game, Rountree Jr. added training with coach Bernardo Tavolaro and rolling with BJJ world champion and ONE Championship heavyweight Marucs "Buchecha" Almeida. Rountree Jr. believes his crowning moment will come one day, and that path begins in Baku against Hill.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 8 poster released for Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. in Azerbaijan
UFC on ABC 8 poster released for Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. in Azerbaijan The UFC makes its first-ever trip to Azerbaijan this summer. The promotion heads to the capital city of Baku for UFC on ABC 8, which features a light heavyweight matchup between former champion Jamahal Hill and former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event. The event takes place at Baku Crystal Hall. Both Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) and Rountree Jr. (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) will look to return to the win column to get back on the path toward another shot at the 205-pound title. The promotion has released an official poster for the event, which highlights the main event matchup with a faceoff between Hill and Rountree Jr. inside a double blue frame. Check out the poster below, as well as the latest UFC on ABC lineup (via X): Current UFC on ABC 8 lineup
