Khalil Rountree Jr

Khalil Ibn Rountree Jr. (born February 26, 1990)[4] is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Background

Rountree was born in Los Angeles, California. When he was two years old, his father was shot and killed in an attempted robbery while working as the tour manager for Boyz II Men. Growing up overweight and self-described as "non-confrontational," Rountree was in a band traveling the country. Eating unhealthy and smoking cigarettes, he decided to begin training after watching The Ultimate Fighter with his brother. At the age of 20 and weighing 300 lbs, Rountree joined Wand Fight Team gym in an attempt to lose weight. After one year of MMA training, Rountree started his MMA amateur career in 2011. Before his UFC 236 fight against Eryk Anders, Rountree trained in Thailand, focusing on Muay Thai

Mixed martial arts career

Resurrection Fighting Alliance

Rountree had a record of 6–1 in his amateur fights, competing as a Middleweight under the Tuff-N-Uff and King of the Cage (KOTC) banners.

Rountree made his professional debut, as a light heavyweight, with Resurrection Fighting Alliance against Livingston Lukow at RFA 15 on June 6, 2014. Rountree won the fight by unanimous decision.

Rountree was scheduled to face Blake Troop in a 190 lbs catcheweight bout at RFA 21 on December 5, 2014. Rountree won the fight by a first-round knockout, after just 39 seconds.

Rountree made his middleweight debut against Cameron Olson at RFA 25 on April 10, 2015. Rountree won the fight by a unanimous decision.

Rountree made his final appearance with RFA against Justin Polendey at RFA 33 on December 11, 2015. Rountree won the fight by first-round knockout

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rountree made his promotional debut on July 8, 2016 at UFC The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale for the TUF 23 Light Heavyweight title against Andrew Sanchez. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Rountree next faced Tyson Pedro at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson on November 27, 2016. He was submitted via rear-naked choke in round one.

On his third fight Rountree faced Daniel Jolly at UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. Korean Zombie on February 4, 2017. He won via knockout in the first round.

Rountree faced Paul Craig on July 16, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Rountree was expected to face Gökhan Saki on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219. However, Saki was forced to pull out, citing knee injury, and was replaced by Michał Oleksiejczuk. Rountree lost the fight by unanimous decision. However, after the fight, it was revealed that Oleksiejczuk had tested positive for clomiphene, an anti-estrogenic substance. As a result, the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) officially overturned the result of the fight to a no contest.

The bout between Rountree and Gökhan Saki eventually took place at UFC 226 on July 7, 2018. Rountree won the fight via knockout in round one.This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Rountree faced promotional newcomer Johnny Walker on November 17, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 140. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Rountree faced Eryk Anders on April 13, 2019 at UFC 236. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Rountree faced Ion Cuțelaba on September 28, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 18.[40] He lost via TKO in the first round.

Rountree was expected to face Sam Alvey on March 28, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed.

Despite talks of retiring after the scrapped bout with Alvey, Rountree signed a contract extension with the UFC in October 2020.

Rountree faced Marcin Prachnio on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257.[45] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Rountree faced Modestas Bukauskas on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191. He won the fight via TKO in round two after catching Bukauskas with an oblique kick, marking the first time the technique had been used to finish a fight in the UFC.

Rountree is scheduled to face Karl Roberson on March 5, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203