Tag: Khalil Rountree

Khalil Rountree details septoplasty surgery for ‘severely deviated septum’ from damage in UFC 307 title loss

Khalil Rountree opens up about the damage he sustained in his UFC 307 title loss to Alex Pereira.

[autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] left UFC 307 with some gruesome battle scars.

Rountree was badly beaten in his attempt to take the UFC light heavyweight title from Alex Pereira this past Saturday in the main event of the card in Salt Lake City. It was a Fight of the Night winning contest where both fighters dished out damage, but unfortunately for Rountree, he took most of it.

Apart from the regular bumps and bruises that come with most fights in the UFC, Rountree revealed he suffered a deviated septum, and already went through a painful procedure to address it.

“I don’t know what punch, but I know that last uppercut before the body shots definitely landed on my nose, but I already had felt some pain in my head,” Rountree told Kevin Iole. “It could’ve been from that, but after we got the scans and everything the night of the fight, yeah, the doctors saw that there was some slight fracturing and a severely deviated septum, so we went right ahead and corrected that as soon as I got home.

“Definitely the most uncomfortable, painful procedure I’ve ever had last night. It was the hardest sleep. My mouth is constantly dry and just a constant headache. Inside my nose, my nasal cavities right now are just stuffed with sponges and splints. It’s very, very uncomfortable.”

Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) impressed many at UFC 307, as he fared well against Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC). He was up on all three judges’ scorecards prior to getting stopped in the fourth round. The two also put on one of the best UFC title fights of 2024.

For Rountree, there’s no second-guessing his career following the damage he sustained at UFC 307. It was all worth it.

“Every scar that I have, every bump, it’s all worth it,” Rountree said. “For me to have worked this hard to get to the point of fighting Alex in a main event for a title, everything that came with it was absolutely worth it. I wouldn’t change one thing.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Anderson Silva proud of Khalil Rountree’s performance at UFC 307: ‘You are a giant’

Khalil Rountree had many people in awe after UFC 307 – especially Anderson Silva.

[autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] had many people in awe after UFC 307 – especially [autotag]Anderson Silva[/autotag].

Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) proved to be a more than worthy opponent for light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) in Saturday’s main event in Salt Lake City, but he was ultimately overwhelmed and finished in Round 4.

Rountree was able to land on Pereira early, winning the first two rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. However, as the fight went on, Pereira found his groove and unleashed brutal combinations on Rountree, who showed incredible heart and resilience to hang in the fight.

Silva predicted that Rountree would become a champion back in 2015, and couldn’t be more proud of his former training partner’s valiant effort against Pereira.

“I could say countless things about this incredible battle between these two giants. In my opinion, the perfect world would be not seeing my brother and my friend fighting. But on the other hand, that’s how the sport is.

Alex, you were impeccable, on an incredible rise. Congratulations, my friend.

As for my little brother Khalil, I am so proud of you, my brother. Thank you so much for being part of my life. Those who know your story know who you truly are: you are a giant. You walk away from this battle as a winner because you showed that fighting at a high level is not for just anyone.

Congratulations to both of you. May GOD bless you both.

Khalil, don’t forget that only a few like us have the courage to fight the good fight. Strength and honor today and always!

And I couldn’t forget to mention our great (José Aldo). You are our champion! 👑 king
@khalilrountree @alexpoatanpereira @josealdojunioroficial 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAzMYFjy_yZ/?igsh=MWM4aXRpZWludjM1aQ%3D%3D

Rountree was a big underdog against Pereira, and had many deeming him unworthy of a title shot prior to the fight. Despite the incredible amount of damage suffered in the fight, Rountree took solace in knowing that he can hang with the elite.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Khalil Rountree reflects on UFC 307 loss to Alex Pereira: ‘Now know what I am capable of’

Khalil Rountree remains all class in the wake of his UFC 307 loss to Alex Pereira.

[autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] continues to handle his UFC 307 defeat with class.

Although Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) gave an interview in the cage Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, as he nearly bled all over commentator Joe Rogan, he did not post anything on social media until Sunday.

In a lengthy written statement, Rountree thanked [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) for the intense back-and-forth battle their shared together and indicated he discovered a lot about himself over the course of the fight.

“I didn’t win the title but I grew last night,” Rountree wrote on Instagram. “@alexpoatanpereira thanks for helping me see that I’m ready to take on the world. You showed amazing skill, you brought out a version of me that I needed to experience. You’re the champ for a reason, much respect. But I now know what I am capable of.”

Rountree lost his first UFC title fight by fourth-round TKO, but had strong moments in the first two rounds despite his status as a heavy betting underdog. He was praised across social media by fans for his heart, courage and moments of success in the fight.

“#saltlakecity you guys were amazing and gave me such a memorable experience,” Rountree continued. “I appreciate all of the positive messages from everyone around the world. @danawhite @espn @espnmma and the entire @ufc staff, thanks for giving me a home, a place to have purpose and providing me with challenges to overcome. Big thanks to my wife @miakang, my family (Donny, Dave, P, all of my uncles and aunts, The Pavlica’s, the Ramseys, Everyone) for your unconditional support. Brazil 🇧🇷 you guys have a strong champion, be proud.

“I will take time to heal from this, I’ll be back even better, it’s inevitable. I’m grateful. Never give up on yourself, always fight hard, uplift your communities and find ways to make the most out of life. @deltacenter thanks for hosting us. #ufc307 was a night to remember.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAy-ZKjz4Vd

Rountree, 34, had won five fights in a row to earn his title shot. Given the damage (some of it very visible) sustained Saturday, it’s unclear when he will return. Whenever he does, Rountree will almost certainly do so with a following.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 photo: Dana White shares close-up of Khalil Rountree’s busted face after title loss

Khalil Rountree’s pursuit of championship greatness came at the expense of some serious damage at UFC 307.

[autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag]’s pursuit of championship greatness came at the expense of some serious damage at UFC 307.

Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) made an unsuccessful bid at the light heavyweight title Saturday in a fourth-round TKO loss to Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. He started the fight strong, but the champ took over as the rounds wore on until he forced the finish.

Although Rountree showed incredible toughness in surviving as long as he did, he didn’t get the result he wanted and now will have the war wounds to show for it.

UFC CEO Dana White showed a closeup of Rountree’s face both before and after he was stitched up backstage at UFC 307, and the scenes are gruesome (via Instagram Stories):

Khalil Rountree after UFC 307

Despite the way it all played out, Rountree was in high spirits after UFC 307. He made no excuses for falling short and said he relished the experience of fighting for a belt from beginning to end.

“My thought coming into this fight was just to be grateful,” Rountree said in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and everyone heard my story, but I was just really excited to come in here. I really just embraced the moment all the way up to this moment.

“I don’t think I was surprised at all. I thought I was going to be able to hit him a lot more. But he did a really good job at evading the punches and counter striking.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program cracks $29 million total paid since Venum deal

The UFC has now paid more than $29 million to its athletes under the Promotional Guidelines Compliance program following UFC 307.

SALT LAKE CITY – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 307 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $407,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 307 took place at Delta Center in Utah. The main card aired on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The full UFC 307 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Mario Bautista[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Iasmin Lucindo[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Alexander Hernandez[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ihor Potieria[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Ovince Saint Preux[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Tecia Pennington[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Court McGee[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: $21,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,302,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,039,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Alex Pereira’s fourth-round TKO win over Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]’s fourth-round TKO win over [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. (Fight and venue photos by Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA Today Sports)

UFC 307 results: Patient Alex Pereira violently finishes Khalil Rountree in Round 4 to defend title

Alex Pereira picked up his fourth UFC title fight win in 11 months by stopping Khalil Rountree in the UFC 307 main event.

[autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] continues to shine as the MVP of the promotion after claiming victory in his fourth main event title fight in 11 months.

In the UFC 307 main event at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) defended his light heavyweight title for the third time by defeating promotionally-ranked No. 8 [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag]. The challenger put up a stiff fight early, but ultimately, the champ retained by stopping Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) with a hellacious flurry at 4:32 of Round 4.

Both landed well-placed countershots early in the fight. Pereira kept Rountree guessing with kicks, while the champ only dealt with punches coming in his direction in a competitive first round.

Pereira missed with a big head kick attempt in Round 2, leaving an opening for Rountree to crack him with a big punch. A combination and a heavy head kick soon followed, securing a clear second round for Rountree.

Early in Round 3, Rountree continued to land hard counterpunches, backing Pereira into the fence. Midway through, Pereira went back to adding hard leg kicks to his offense to slow down Rountree’s responses, which proved to be a pivotal point in the fight.

Rountree was busted open from strikes, and a jumping knee from Pereira prompted a heavy forward-pressure attack to seal the third round.

Bruised and bloodied in Round 4, Pereira continued to pick apart his opponent with sharp single strikes while trying to evade the return punches. Pereira turned up the pressure as Rountree began to back away, drawing out a wild firefight.

Rountree was forced to cover up as he retreated to the fence with his right eye swollen shut, but Pereira was cautious of the counters and didn’t leave himself open. “Poatan” got a hold of Thai clinch to dig in more strikes, and the following flurry of heavy punches closed the show.

Pereira, 37, became the light heavyweight champ by stopping former champ Jiri Prochazka in the second round at UFC 295. He went on to pick up his first title defense in April at UFC 300 on short notice by finishing former title holder Jamahal Hill in the first round. “Poatan” stepped up to save the day again at UFC 303 in June, where he defeated Prochazka in a rematch.

Rountree, 34, was an unlikely challenger but, despite the loss, gave the champ a run for his money. He sees his five-fight winning streak come to an end in his first UFC title opportunity.

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Up-to-the-minute UFC 307 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree preview show live stream with Farah Hannoun

Before the fights get underway, join MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun for a live-streamed preview of UFC 307 in Salt Lake City.

UFC 307 goes down Saturday night with two title fights atop the bill, and before the fights get underway, Farah Hannoun will host a live-streamed preview show right here, which kicks off at 5 p.m. ET.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against challenger [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) defends her title for the first time when she meets ex-champ [autotag]Julianna Pena[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). In addition, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) as a huge favorite.

UFC 307 takes place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City and streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

Below is the complete lineup:

UFC 307 main card

  • Champ Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree – for light heavyweight title
  • Champ Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña – for women’s bantamweight title
  • Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
  • Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland

UFC 307 preliminary card

  • Joaquin Buckley vs. Stephen Thompson
  • Iasmin Lucindo vs. Marina Rodriguez
  • Cesar Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria
  • Alexander Hernandez vs. Austin Hubbard

UFC 307 early preliminary card

  • Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann
  • Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington
  • Court McGee vs. Tim Means

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Firas Zahabi expects ‘lopsided’ UFC 307 main event: Alex Pereira ‘has seen everything Khalil Rountree brings’

Veteran MMA coach Firas Zahabi expects Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree to be “lopsided” at UFC 307.

While some experts are picking the upset, famed MMA coach [autotag]Firas Zahabi[/autotag] aligns with the oddsmakers ahead of the UFC 307 main event.

On Saturday, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] defends his light heavyweight title against fellow striker [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag], and he enters the bout as high as a -500 favorite on some betting lines. Zahabi, head coach of Tristar and long-time mentor of Georges St-Pierre, sees this championship bout as an easy pick.

“Do I believe Khalil Rountree has a chance to win? Yeah, I do, but I don’t think he will win,” Zahabi said on his YouTube channel. “Why? Pereira has seen everything Khalil Rountree brings to the table.”

Although he’s picking Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC), Zahabi respects what Rountree (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) has done in his career and has a high appreciation for his fighting style.

“He’s a very classic style may Thai fighter, very classic,” Zahabi said regarding Rountree. “He’s a power-punching southpaw. Most of his fighting, 90 percent of his fighting is southpaw, more than that. He has an incredible, powerful left hand. He can get things done. He’s a powerful kicker. He’ got a wonderful muay Thai clinch with knees and elbows, but he’s mostly about the punching and kicking. …. He’s never attempted a single takedown in his career. I went through all his fights. I’ve never recalled a single takedown, not one. Maybe like a trip, but he’s not trying to get guys to the ground. He’s not trying to shoot on Pereira. He’s never won via submission.”

Zahabi thinks highly of Rountree’s striking, but even higher of what “Poatan” brings to the table.

“Pereira has that left hook, and that left hook is more unique, more special,” Zahabi said “Pereira is taller, longer range, more seasoned. That’s the way I see this. He’s just more seasoned. He’s beat bigger names. Pereira has been through more five-round fights, bigger fights, more legendary opponents, cleaner record. I predict that Pereira can win this fight handily. I’m giving him a 65/35 (percent chance). I usually don’t cover fights when I think they’re this lopsided.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

UFC 307 ‘Embedded,’ No. 6: Fighters shed final pounds for weigh-ins: ‘It ain’t easy, but it’s worth it’

The sixth episode of UFC 307 “Embedded” follows Alex Pereira and other stars of the pay-per-view through their weight cut.

The UFC is back on Mountain Time for UFC 307, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 307 (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

In the headliner, light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) puts his title on the line against challenger [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). In the co-feature, women’s bantamweight champ [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (16-9 MMA, 13-5 UFC) defends her title for the first time when she meets ex-champ [autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC). In addition, two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champ [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) as a huge favorite.

The sixth and final episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Raquel Pennington reflects on her upcoming fight against Julianna Peña; athletes cut weight before official weigh-ins; Champ Alex Pereira gets his warrior face paint; The stars of UFC 307 face off one last time at the Ceremonial Weigh-ins.

Previous UFC 307 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.