Khalil Rountree Jr. simply had the struggle of his life, and he predicts larger issues forward.
First, the sunshine heavyweight contender has to heal up after a hellacious title struggle with champion Alex Pereira this previous Saturday at UFC 307. Rountree took Pereira to the fourth spherical and was really forward on all three scorecards, however the bloodied challenger succumbed to a livid Pereira knockout flurry that eliminated the judges from the equation.
Rountree has since undergone septoplasty surgical procedure on his nostril to handle accidents suffered within the struggle and he went into additional element on the ordeal in an interview with Kevin Iole.
“I don’t know precisely what punch, I do know that final uppercut after the physique photographs, that undoubtedly landed on my nostril, however I already had felt some ache in my head,” Rountree mentioned. “It may have been from that, however after we bought the scans and every little thing the night time of the struggle, the medical doctors noticed that there was some slight fracturing and a severely deviated septum so we simply went proper forward and corrected that as quickly as I bought residence.
“Undoubtedly probably the most uncomfortable, painful process I’ve ever had final night time. It was the toughest sleep. My mouse was consistently dry, it was only a fixed headache, however within my nostril, my nasal cavity, proper now could be simply full of sponges and splints, so it’s very, very uncomfortable.”
Rountree has no regrets about standing and putting with the fearsome Pereira, particularly after seeing all of the respect and reward he acquired from followers, fighters, and media. He’ll have loads of time to bask on this newfound admiration as he plans to take time to get well from his accidents earlier than a possible return in early 2025.
“I’m very excited to come back again and struggle once more, however it can most likely be Q1 subsequent yr,” Rountree mentioned. “I do know that folks bought to see me struggle, however this actually confirmed me two issues: It confirmed me that I’m ready to struggle at that degree, however it additionally confirmed me that there’s rather a lot to be taught and there’s rather a lot to develop.
“I wish to come again and be very skillful and strategic and simply make it possible for I make the best selections, as a result of I’m right here for a very long time. I simply signed a brand new contract previous to this struggle, so I’ve bought much more fights left and I’m in no rush.”
One potential opponent linked to Rountree is former champion Jamahal Hill. The 2 had been scheduled to struggle at UFC 303 this previous June, however Rountree was faraway from the cardboard after testing optimistic for a banned substance, leading to a quick suspension. Hill subsequently pulled out of the occasion with an harm.
Ought to their timetables line up, re-booking Rountree vs. Hill makes all of the sense on the earth, with each contenders vying for one more championship alternative.
“I believe it’s virtually inevitable, proper?” Rountree mentioned when requested about Hill. “I believe he’s ranked No. 3, so I believe anybody up there within the high 5 is sort of inevitable. So let’s see what occurs, I believe fairly shortly there I’ll be speaking to the matchmakers and the bosses and see what they suppose.
“I’m right here for all of it. I’m not achieved. I’m going to proceed, I hope and I consider that I’ll have one other probability at preventing for the belt whether or not it’s Alex or whoever else if somebody is ready to take it from him, however yeah, I believe that struggle may undoubtedly nonetheless occur.”
On his Instagram story, Pereira responded to the proposed matchup.
Comeback? Dana White would like to see ladies’s MMA GOAT Amanda Nunes again in motion.
Rematch. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland may run it again quickly.
Brawl. Renato Moicano desires a cash matchup with Justin Gaethje.
Reunited. Alex Pereira had a hand in previous kickboxing rival Artem Vakhitov profitable a Contender Collection contract.
Hater. Nate Diaz doesn’t suppose Justin Gaethje nor Dustin Poirier must be in a “BMF” match.
Bother. Antonio Trocoli arrested after an incident allegedly involving Mackenzie Dern’s ex-husband.
Worth. Brandon Royval is being smarter about his bookings and vows, “I’m not an affordable ass prostitute anymore.”
Martin and Cash Moicano.
ICYMI: DWCS KOs
Get caught up on the finishes from Saturday’s UFC Vegas 98 headliners.
Max Holloway reveals his secrets and techniques.
Funky and The Champ stir the pot.
Consider You Me. Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith break down all of the motion from UFC 307.
Mike Heck. MMA Combating’s Mike Heck talks to three-time Contender Collection winner and new UFC roster member Torrez Finney.
Outdated Man Volk is again.
Dan Hooker is in.
Po-Time?
Chama time.
Don’t do them like that, Sanko!
Now this is the way you Energy Slap.
Darren Until, not a Jake Paul fan.
Time flies.
Good luck taking over this trio.
Junior Tafa (5-3) vs. Sean Sharaf (4-0); UFC Vegas 98, Oct. 12
It’s actually loopy to suppose how far Khalil Rountree Jr. has come from being an Final Fighter runner-up (remark under in the event you bear in mind who beat him. No dishonest!) to UFC title challenger and now a fan favourite fighter. He all the time had the potential with an thrilling putting fashion, however there have been so many spots alongside the way in which the place it appeared like he’d be an also-ran or a never-was. Now right here he’s.
The query is, has Rountree peaked or are his greatest days forward? Vote within the ballot under and tell us your ideas.
Ballot
Does Khalil Rountree Jr. struggle for UFC gold once more sometime?
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