What’s Next for Khalil Rountree Jr After His Impressive Victory?
Khalil Rountree Jr. took on Jamahal Hill last Saturday in the main event of UFC Baku. He systematically dissected Hill's feet throughout the entire fight. The way he was able to mix his strikes from low kicks to body kicks and then come over the top with powerful overhand strikes was a thing of beauty. Hill had absolutely no answers for him on the feet, which led to Rountree’s wire-to-wire victory. Complete domination of a former Light Heavyweight Champion opens many doors for Rountree moving forward. I will break down potential matchups I think the UFC will look to set up in the future and how each fight could potentially play out.
Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Jiri Prochazka
If Jiri Prochazka isn’t next in line for a title shot, this seems like the most obvious title eliminator fight. This is an exciting, striking matchup between two guys who like to go forward and mix up their strikes. Jiri has always had a difficult time checking leg kicks, and the way Rountree can hide his tells, combined with the speed and power of his throws, will batter Jiri’s legs and hinder his mobility. Jiri is going to walk through the fire and try to back Rountree against the cage and land a bomb to try and put him out. However, with the way Rountree can keep his hand off the center line and counter with authority, I see a similar showing that he had against Hill in this matchup. I think his Muay Thai is just too much for Jiri to handle, and I think Jiri will bite down and march forward when he’s hurt, and Rountree will probably be able to find a finish at some point.
Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Carlos Ulberg
If Jiri happens to be next in line for a title shot, then this matchup between the number four and five ranked Light Heavyweights in the world. Carlos Ulberg put himself in serious contention for a title shot with his wire-to-wire victory over former Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz. I think experience in this matchup will play a vital role. Ulberg looked like a killer until his matchup with Jan. He wasn’t able to get going and was gun-shy when the fight got into the pocket. Rountree is going to throw and put real pressure on Ulberg from the jump, so it will be a true test to see the level to which Ulberg is currently at and if he can hang with the top of the division. Rountree Jr. showed in his fight against Hill that he is not going to put himself in unnecessary danger, and when he lands big, he will circle back and reset, knowing he just won the exchange. That will prevent him from being in range for Ulberg to land his power shots, and in terms of volume and accuracy, Rountree has a major advantage in this matchup. I think Rountree at this time would be too much for Ulberg to handle.
Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Magomed Ankalaev
I believe this matchup is a lot closer than most people think. Magomed Ankalaev isn’t great anyway, but he is solid everywhere. His striking volume allows him to get ahead in most of his matchups, and his ability to grapple is something every fighter has to have in the back of their mind. However, he wasn’t able to get Alex Pereira to the ground in any of his 12 attempts in this title fight. Khalil has always been a tough guy to get to the ground, so if he can keep the fight on the feet, he will always have a puncher's chance. The ability to grapple, however, looms large because if Ankalaev can get this fight to the ground, he can wear on Rountree’s gas tank and slow down his striking and forward pressure because he will have the takedown in the back of his mind. I think Ankalaev will retain his belt if these two match up, but it will be a close decision victory.
Except for the Ankalaev fight, the other two are exciting matchups that will keep fans on the edge of their seat throughout. Rountree Jr. has made himself a draw in the eyes of the hardcore fans who truly enjoy martial arts. I don’t think his victory over a slumping Jamahal Hill warrants a title shot. However, another top-five or top-three victory could put him right in the conversation, depending on who Ankalaev fights next for his first title defense. We will see what direction Dana White and his committee go in moving forward for the hard-hitting 205er.
