Khalil Rountree is expecting a big clash his way after coming up short in his effort vs. Alex Pereira. He challenged the Brazilian atop the pay-per-view main event at UFC 307 last weekend. The pure strike fest left Rountree with some scars from which to heal. But he is counting on big turnovers; a name he has in mind is Jamahal Hill.
Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) won the first two rounds of his UFC 307 PPV headliner light heavyweight title fight against Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’ starched him with a late fourth-round TKO, but he proved to be his most stylistic challenge yet. Khalil Rountree did not win, but he said he learned a lot about his capacity to fight from it. Now, he expects a fight with Jamahal Hill, all but a sure booking.
Absolutely, I think it’s almost inevitable, …I think he’s ranked No. 3. Anyone up there in the top five is kind of inevitable. So, let’s see what happens. Pretty shortly here, I’ll be talking to the matchmakers and the bosses and see what they think…
Khalil Rountree to MMA columnist Kevin Iole for his YT Channel (@KevinIole)
Before his title bout with Pereira, Rountree was booked for a fight with former champ Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 303 in June. However, he pulled out, coming in the green for the banned substance dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Later, Hill also pulled out against replacement booking Carlos Ulberg. Rountree revealed he signed a new UFC contract before facing Pereira and still has plenty of fights left. Hill makes the most sense right now. When he self-reported and pulled out for the tainted supplement, many pinned him for ducking the prodigal former champ. However, his striking clinic against Alex Pereira has won him many fans since then.
This could be a perfect test of mettle that can keep him high in the pecking order: a battle of two former title challengers. Jamahal Hill’s nonchalance to their performance could also be fuel enough. After his surgery, Rountree expects an early return next year.
What is Septoplasty? All about Khalil Rountree Jr’s recent painful surgery after UFC 307
Rountree suffered severe damage at UFC 307 against Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira, resulting in nose surgery. Despite the loss, Rountree’s resilience was evident. In a surprising post-fight revelation, he revealed having had a deep cut on the bridge of his nose three weeks before the fight. He knew it would re-open during the fight, which it did. Before UFC 307, he also posted a video of doctors stitching up the cut.
Speaking to Kevin Iole after the fight, the 205lb title challenger mentioned suffering a “severely deviated septum.” It was to an extent doctors described as severe, with a fracture needing correcting. ‘War Horse’ has since undergone septoplasty surgery. This is notwithstanding his other bumps and bruises,
Khalil Rountree reveals he suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose 3 weeks before UFC 307 and knew it would open up.
He also posted the video of it being stitched up and at one point the doctor says to him, “I’m sure you’re happy to hear you don’t have a fracture”. 😳 pic.twitter.com/e4Vu3849w2
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) October 7, 2024
Khalil Rountree Jr. revealed that he had successful surgery on his nose after #UFC307 🙏
(📸 khalilrountree/IG) pic.twitter.com/Bu6bq4qsgW
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 8, 2024
The Mayo Clinic describes Septoplasty as moving the deviated septum back to the center of the nose. In a now-defunct Instagram story, Rountree shows off his bandaged selfie after the procedure. The Fight of the Night winning striking contest saw Khalil Rountree absorbing an uppercut and two body shots at the tail end of the match. While already busted, the uppercut rocked the stem of the nose from its place.
