Khalil Rountree delivered a performance to remember at UFC Baku this past Saturday, clearly outshining Jamahal Hill. Hill failed to present a significant challenge for Rountree who reigned supreme over his American rival through five grueling rounds, eventually securing a unanimous decision victory. Rountree showed supeior technique throughout the fight, as Hill suffered from a painful right leg, the result of Rountree’s relentless calf kicks. The contest analysts scored 50-45 in favor of Rountree, with one giving Hill a round and tallying the match at 49-46.
In his post-fight comments, Rountree expressed interest in seizing a UFC championship, despite losing a light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira in his last match nearly eight months ago. Winning six out of his last seven UFC clashes, Rountree seems poised to target a top five ranking in his next encounter. On the other hand, former champion Hill has now tasted defeat in three consecutive UFC contests, surrendering his light heavyweight championship to Pereira at UFC 300-April 2024 before being dominated by Jiri Prochazka nine months forward.
The first round opened slow, with Hill maintaining his composure to avoid yet another first-round knockout – a pattern in his preceding two losses. Rountree landed some powerful leg kicks, which later heavily influenced the outcome of the match. As round two began, Hill’s calf showed signs of suffering, and Rountree’s corner advised him to focus on attacking Hill’s legs to inhibit his rival’s combat effectiveness. The match’s first 10 minutes saw little action but warmed up when Hill, ignoring the clear pain in his calf, ramped up his offense in round three. His calf, by now, resembled a battered tomato.
Despite Hill’s efforts to turn the tide, he was knocked to the mat. He met the canvas again soon after when Rountree connected a clean right hook. As the championship rounds commenced, Rountree comfortably maintained control, praised by the UFC commentator for his calculated performance. As the match continued, he intensified his punches, while Hill, though seriously disadvantaged, kept pushing, hoping for a dramatic shift in momentum.
Hill began the fifth and final round in desperate need of a breakthrough to salvage his dignity before departing Baku. Knowing he had a clear lead on the scorecards, Rountree smartly kept his distance, circling Hill and skilfully controlling the fight until the end, winning the match and becoming the main event’s champion on UFC’s debut in Azerbaijan.
Rountree, a 35-year-old California native, first caught the spotlight through The Ultimate Fighter in 2016. He then went on a winning spree spanning 2021 to 2023—claiming victories in five consecutive bouts—firmly establishing himself as one of the light heavyweight division’s top contenders. With Hill now in his rearview mirror, Rountree is on track to surpass him and claim UFC’s 4th spot in the light heavyweight rankings, second only to Carlos Ulberg, Prochazka, Pereira, and current champion Magomed Ankalaev.
As things stand, Rountree is only one successful fight away from earning a second run at the coveted UFC gold. However, the title picture has been muddled as of late. Champion Ankalaev secured a unanimous decision victory over Pereira at UFC 313 in March, and Pereira was primed to make an immediate comeback. However, conflicts between Pereira and UFC, and some heated exchanges have put the expected rematch on hold, giving Prochazka a potential shot at the title.
Meanwhile, Pereira shared last week that his current weight is a sizable 249 lbs, stimulating speculation among MMA fans that a move up to the heavyweight division might be on the cards. Pereira’s potential shift to heavyweight could establish a bout with Britain’s Tom Aspinall, who has been craving a showdown with Jon Jones for final supremacy for months, although to no avail.
If Pereira was indeed exiting the equation, Rountree might be paired with Carlos Ulberg from New Zealand, who recently triumphed over Jan Blachowicz at UFC London in March. Assuming Ankalaev then faced off with Prochazka, the victor of a potential Ulberg-Rountree face-off would likely secure a bid for the title. That being said, Pereira assured MMA Fighting that he intends to stay put in the light heavyweight division.
This presumption would align him for a rematch with the reigning champ, Ankalaev. This scenario would put Prochazka and Ulberg in a likely clash, effectively suggesting that Rountree might have to fight another title eliminator before enjoying a second stab at the UFC title. Despite the potential roadblocks, the future certainly looks bright for Khalil Rountree who has shown tremendous growth and potential in his recent encounters inside the octagon.