Khalil Rountree Jr. is one of the most devastating strikers in the UFC today.
The #7-ranked UFC Light Heavyweight contender showed the world just how good he is in his last fight against Alex Pereira, taking the champion into deep waters at UFC 307 last October.
Despite a strong start in rounds 1 and 2, the fight got away from Rountree in the championship rounds as the kickboxing legend Pereira broke his nose en route to a masterful TKO finish in round 4.
A Muay Thai striker at heart, Rountree made major adjustments to his game after fighting Pereira, knowing he’d have to evolve to keep his championship dreams alive.
Rountree is now set to face former champ Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC Baku on June 21.
Years before he was a UFC headliner, Khalil Rountree Jr. captured Dana White’s attention on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’.
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Khalil Rountree fired soccer kicks to the body for devastating finish on ‘The Ultimate Fighter 23’
A 25-year-old Rountree was cast on season 23 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ where he competed for a UFC contract in 2016.
Rountree didn’t end up winning the show’s light heavyweight tournament but the fighter made a lasting first impression on the UFC world with his ferocious finishes and explosive fighting style.
In his first fight on the show, Rountree wobbled opponent Muhammed DeReese with a head kick and punches before going for the finish on the ground.
Instead of throwing more punches, Rountree stepped back and threw two soccer kicks to DeReese’s body to end the fight.
“Holy f—— s—!” UFC CEO White reacted to Rountree’s finishing move.
“That guy’s a f—— animal,” White said of Rountree.
“That guy’s going to be tough to beat…”
Khalil Rountree Jr. trained with former UFC champ Luke Rockhold
Preparing for Jamahal Hill at UFC Baku, Rountree has surrounded himself with top-notch coaches and former world champions.
Rountree has been training under Christian Knowles, coach of kickboxing star Jonathan Haggerty, as well as BJJ champion Marcus Buchecha.
Rountree also worked with Luke Rockhold, getting sparring rounds in with the former UFC Middleweight Champion.
“Having guys at this level being able to train with me has been super amazing,” Rountree said on his YouTube channel.
“It’s not every day you get to train with a champion like Luke Rockhold or a world champion like Buchecha. You can’t get this type of work anywhere else.
“I’m doing my best to elevate myself as an athlete,” Rountree added.