The ‘no takedown’ pact has been the centerpiece of the story between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree. Both men have a knack for finishing their opponents in the opening rounds in a brutal fashion. Incidentally, Rountree has never shot a takedown in his UFC career, while Pereira has just a handful to his name.
Khalil Rountree began his campaign for this match-up with the pretext of no takedowns. Recently, the Brazilian fighter doubled down on Rountree’s comment, challenging him to bet his fight purse for charity. Responding to Pereira’s comments, Rountree dismissed the idea of the bet, stating that it was not in his plans to go for a takedown.
I am not a betting guy. I don’t bet. I don’t really like to support it. But, if it’s like a challenge in a way like to show, to show, I would donate to a positive cause or charity. I don’t need to say that I won’t shoot for a takedown. I’ll just do that, flat off.
Khalil Rountree via UFC 307 Media Day
Khalil Rountree even expressed how he would prefer to fire his coaches if they force him to deviate from his game plan. He has taken a vow to keep the fight standing, but he showed he might mix it up during the media day. Oddsmakers don’t think the fight will extend beyond the initial rounds, as the American fighter will walk in as an underdog.
Favored to win the clash, ‘Poatan’ also has a rare chance to break another record with this title defense. The Brazilian has been one of the few kickboxers who took over the sport of MMA in a short span. Similarly, Rountree’s run-in in the sport of kickboxing/Muay Thai also changed his stars in MMA. His love affair with the sport grew to such an extent that he flirted with the idea of retirement.
Khalil Rountree wanted to quit MMA for Muay Thai
After suffering a vicious loss in 2018, ‘The War Horse’ decided to make a big change. He flew out to Thailand and joined Tiger Muay Thai to learn the ways of Thai kickboxing. Training for the better part of 2018, 2019, and 2020. Rountree realized that he had fallen in love with Thailand and Muay Thai.
Rountree teased the idea of leaving MMA in pursuit of a life in the southeast not too long ago. Speaking with Demetrious Johnson on his podcast, the light heavyweight title challenger revealed how the UFC’s refusal to let him fight in Thailand brought him back to MMA.
They were like ‘No’ and that was where there was a moment in my career when I announced like, ‘Hey guys, after my next fight I’m done, I’m retiring’.
Khalil Rountree via Mighty YouTube Channel
From weighing 300lbs and smoking two packs a day to discovering MMA, Rountree has experienced it all. Despite facing brutal losses and reinventing himself twice, the 34-year-old is now standing on the cusp of greatness. A victory over Alex Pereira this weekend would definitely cement his place as one of the best strikers in UFC today.
