Boxing superstar Tyson Fury was one of the many people blown away by a viral picture of Khalil Rountree Jr. in the immediate aftermath of UFC 307.
Light-heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr. fell to a fourth-round TKO loss to Alex Pereira despite starting well and even dropping the champion in the second round of their fight at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday.
Rountree Jr. got his face bashed in by the 205lb champion, but he refused to fall until being hit with two monstrous body shots that folded him in half and prompted referee Marc Goddard to wave off the fight.
A picture of the brave UFC star covered in cuts, bruises and blood was shared by Dana White online before Conor McGregor branded it ‘legendary’ and fans praised his toughness.
Tyson Fury reacts to viral post-fight picture of Khalil Rountree Jr.
Even Fury felt compelled to comment on Rountree Jr. looking almost unrecognizable after taking on Pereira at UFC 307.
‘The Gypsy King’ has won every world title in boxing and survived three fights with Deontay Wilder, who is widely regarded as one of the biggest punchers of all time.
Still, he was somewhat shocked by the viral photograph of Rountree Jr.
“We don’t play in the fight game. Warriors of the modern day,” Fury wrote alongside the picture on his Instagram story.
Fury is a MMA fan and he has previously flirted with the idea of making his debut in the cage.
However, he’s currently preparing for a massive rematch with WBO, WBA, and WBC heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who became the first man to beat him when they clashed earlier this year.
The Englishman will go seeking revenge at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21.
Khalil Rountre Jr. issues statement on UFC 307 loss
Rountree Jr. earned his first UFC title shot by winning five consecutive fights in impressive fashion.
Even though his great run ended brutally, the 34-year-old is feeling optimistic about his future in the sport after realizing that he has what it takes to compete with the very best fighters in MMA.
On Sunday, he shared a statement on Instagram which addressed his defeat at UFC 307.
“I didn’t win the title but I grew last night,” Rountree Jr. wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
“@alexpoatanpereira thanks for helping me see that I’m ready to take on the world. You showed amazing skill, you brought out a version of me that I needed to experience. You’re the champ for a reason, much respect. But I now know what I am capable of.
“#saltlakecity you guys were amazing and gave me such a memorable experience. I appreciate all of the positive messages from everyone around the world. @danawhite @espn @espnmma and the entire @ufc staff, thanks for giving me a home, a place to have purpose and providing me with challenges to overcome.
“Big thanks to my wife @miakang, my family (Donny, Dave, P, all of my uncles and aunts, The Pavlica’s, the Ramseys, Everyone) for your unconditional support. Brazil you guys have a strong champion, be proud.
“I will take time to heal from this, I’ll be back even better, it’s inevitable. I’m grateful. Never give up on yourself, always fight hard, uplift your communities and find ways to make the most out of life. @deltacenter thanks for hosting us. #ufc307 was a night to remember.”