Khalil Rountree brushes off Jamahal Hill’s reaction to his title fight.
Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was outraged upon hearing the news that Rountree (13-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) will challenge light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in the UFC 307 headliner in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5.
Hill’s anger stems from Rountree’s failed drug test, which forced him to withdraw from their light heavyweight bout at UFC 303 in July. Rountree served a two-month suspension after testing positive for banned substances, including androsterone, a banned steroid.
“It doesn’t surprise me and it doesn’t affect me,” Rountree told Kevin Iole of Hill’s reaction. “I understand that he is upset for his own personal reasons. I’m like, OK, but it’s really none of my business what he thinks or anybody else thinks, what they believe about the business and how things operate.”
Rountree is on a five-fight winning streak, including a TKO of former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith. Having finished four of his past five fights by strikes, Rountree doesn’t see how fans wouldn’t get up for his stylistic matchup vs. Pereira.
“I don’t think it’s terrible for the sport,” Rountree said. “I think it’s amazing for the sport. I think the fans are going to be 100 percent hyped on this fight. You’ve got a guy like me. You’ve got a guy like Alex. We’re going to go head-to-head. It’s exciting for the sport. I think it’s an amazing thing for the fans, so whatever.
“I’m grateful for the UFC. I’m grateful for this opportunity. Everybody else, whatever negative opinions, if you’re anything but excited about this fight, maybe you’ve got the problem. I don’t think it’s the matchmakers or the company. It’s like, if you have a problem with this, I think the problem is yours.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.