Khalil Rountree
The War Horse
USA
Out
Injury Undisclosed
Est. Return 8/1/2026
Out of Abu Dhabi card with injury
Rountree (undisclosed) is out of the UFC Abu Dhabi main event against Magomed Ankalaev, according to the official UFC page.
ANALYSIS
Due to an unknown injury, the American light heavyweight will drop out of his much-awaited fight. Rountree's absence will pave the way for Bogdan Guskov, Uzbekistan's top fighter, to appear in the octagon against Ankalaev. The return timeline on Rountree's injury remains unknown.
Due to an unknown injury, the American light heavyweight will drop out of his much-awaited fight. Rountree's absence will pave the way for Bogdan Guskov, Uzbekistan's top fighter, to appear in the octagon against Ankalaev. The return timeline on Rountree's injury remains unknown.
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Five-rounder vs. No. 1 contender
Rountree will fight Magomed Ankalaev in a five-round light heavyweight fight at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25, according to the UFC's announcement Monday.
ANALYSIS
Even though Rountree is 1-2 across his last three fights, he has brought excitement to the UFC light heavyweight division's upper echelon, which has granted him an excellent opportunity. Ankalaev is No. 1 in the promotion's LHW ranks, so defeating him can potentially grant Rountree a shot at champion Carlos Ulberg. Rountree's opponent slipped between his last two fights, both against Alex Pereira, and the former will look to use that to his advantage.
Even though Rountree is 1-2 across his last three fights, he has brought excitement to the UFC light heavyweight division's upper echelon, which has granted him an excellent opportunity. Ankalaev is No. 1 in the promotion's LHW ranks, so defeating him can potentially grant Rountree a shot at champion Carlos Ulberg. Rountree's opponent slipped between his last two fights, both against Alex Pereira, and the former will look to use that to his advantage.
Drops war to Jiri Prochazka
Rountree lost to Jiri Prochazka via KO (punches) at 3:04 of Round 3 at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
You can't help but feel for Rountree. This was one of the biggest fights of his career, and for 10-plus minutes, he was brilliant. He was fast, aggressive and had Prochazka off-balance at all times. Then Jiri made it an all-out brawl early in Round 3 instead of a technical boxing match, and Khalil eventually crumbled. To be fair, Rountree ate dozens and dozens of shots which would have dropped any mere mortal before finally being put away. He simply couldn't make it to the final bell. Rountree may not be on quite the same level as the best light heavyweights on the roster, but he's proven time and time again that he's not far off. It will be interesting to see if Rountree, who will be 36 years old in February, can bounce back from another fight in which he absorbed a ton of damage. In the meantime, he'll at least take home an extra $50,000 after this war was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
You can't help but feel for Rountree. This was one of the biggest fights of his career, and for 10-plus minutes, he was brilliant. He was fast, aggressive and had Prochazka off-balance at all times. Then Jiri made it an all-out brawl early in Round 3 instead of a technical boxing match, and Khalil eventually crumbled. To be fair, Rountree ate dozens and dozens of shots which would have dropped any mere mortal before finally being put away. He simply couldn't make it to the final bell. Rountree may not be on quite the same level as the best light heavyweights on the roster, but he's proven time and time again that he's not far off. It will be interesting to see if Rountree, who will be 36 years old in February, can bounce back from another fight in which he absorbed a ton of damage. In the meantime, he'll at least take home an extra $50,000 after this war was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Fighting Jiri at 320
Rountree will take on Jiri Prochazka at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, according to UFC President Dana White (via Instagram Live).
ANALYSIS
The War Horse finally got his title shot against Alex Pereira back in October of 2024, but he ended up losing via TKO. Rountree will now aim to stay undefeated in 2025 after a win over Jamahal Hill via unanimous decision in June. He'll take on Prochazka, who has followed a similar trajectory with a championship loss to Pereira and bounce-back win over Hill after. The October fight should make for some solid entertainment, with Rountree and Prochazka both reliant on powerful striking to win octagon matches.
The War Horse finally got his title shot against Alex Pereira back in October of 2024, but he ended up losing via TKO. Rountree will now aim to stay undefeated in 2025 after a win over Jamahal Hill via unanimous decision in June. He'll take on Prochazka, who has followed a similar trajectory with a championship loss to Pereira and bounce-back win over Hill after. The October fight should make for some solid entertainment, with Rountree and Prochazka both reliant on powerful striking to win octagon matches.
Easily handles Jamahal Hill
Rountree defeated Jamahal Hill via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
ANALYSIS
It was a massive rebound performance from Rountree on the heels of his knockout loss to Alex Pereira in a title fight last October. There isn't a ton to break down about this fight from a technical standpoint. The two men engaged in a 25-minute kickboxing match, with Rountree constantly and overwhelmingly getting the better of the action. Hill was again hesitant and ineffective, and that opened the door for Khalil to pull ahead. Rountree was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight, a Round 3 knockdown. That, combined with how well Rountree defended, led to an easy victory. Rountree is already 35 years old, so the odds are against him earning another title shot, but he's won six of seven dating back to September 2021. The light heavyweight division has virtually no depth up top, so never say never.
It was a massive rebound performance from Rountree on the heels of his knockout loss to Alex Pereira in a title fight last October. There isn't a ton to break down about this fight from a technical standpoint. The two men engaged in a 25-minute kickboxing match, with Rountree constantly and overwhelmingly getting the better of the action. Hill was again hesitant and ineffective, and that opened the door for Khalil to pull ahead. Rountree was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight, a Round 3 knockdown. That, combined with how well Rountree defended, led to an easy victory. Rountree is already 35 years old, so the odds are against him earning another title shot, but he's won six of seven dating back to September 2021. The light heavyweight division has virtually no depth up top, so never say never.
Fight vs. Hill finally booked
Rountree will take on Jamahal Hill at UFC Baku in a light heavyweight headliner on Jun. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The War Horse will finally get his match against Hill after the pair's headliner in Kansas City was cancelled. Rountree is coming off a loss to Alex Pereira in a title shot who Hill also lost to last April, so both fighters will be looking for a bounce-back win and hopefully future shots at another title match.
The War Horse will finally get his match against Hill after the pair's headliner in Kansas City was cancelled. Rountree is coming off a loss to Alex Pereira in a title shot who Hill also lost to last April, so both fighters will be looking for a bounce-back win and hopefully future shots at another title match.