Khalil Rountree Jr. delivered one of the best performances of his career on Saturday, dominating former champion Jamahal Hill in a unanimous five-round decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Rountree (14-6) took control from the start and never relinquished the initiative. He punished Hill’s lead leg with kicks, to the point that Hill could barely stand on it, and knocked him down with punches twice in the third round. The three judges awarded a convincing victory to Rountree with scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46. Despite his clear dominance and takedowns, Rountree maintained a technical and measured approach throughout the fight. He dismantled Hill with mastery, but did not overextend himself seeking the finish once the result seemed assured. Rountree, 35, attributed this approach to lessons learned in his previous fight, a knockout loss in the fourth round to Alex Pereira in a UFC title fight in October.
I didn’t underestimate Jamahal. I had full confidence in myself and my abilities, but the plan was to be smart. I made some mistakes in the fight with Alex. This was the time to make different decisions. I don’t have to go all out all the time. If I win a round, I can secure it and be a smart, professional, championship-level fighter.
Khalil Rountree Jr.
The two knockdowns in the third round raised Rountree’s career total to 14, tying him with retired legends Chuck Liddell and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in light heavyweight history.
He knocked Hill down with a left hook in the third round and then with a right hook in the last 30 seconds. The leg kicks, however, were the bigger story, and the damage to Hill’s legs changed the entire complexion of the matchup. Hill, who is a natural southpaw, was forced to routinely switch stances to protect his lead right leg, which greatly diminished the threat of his offense. According to UFC stats, Rountree outstruck Hill in total strikes 94-63. It was a great victory for Rountree after his five-fight winning streak was interrupted in his failed title bid against Pereira. He entered Saturday’s contest ranked number 7 in the division, while Hill was number 4. Rountree, from Las Vegas, has never fought against the current champion Magomed Ankalaev, who took the belt from Pereira in March.I want to be a champion. I know there are things that need to be done, but for me, if I had to fight Ankalaev next, I would. Whatever gets me closer to fighting for the belt again.
Khalil Rountree Jr.
