Rountree returns to the Octagon on Saturday night at UFC 320 in his hometown of Las Vegas, where the fighter nicknamed “The War Horse” will ride into battle once again looking to push himself back into championship contention in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
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From prospect to contender
Rountree’s transformation from talented but inconsistent prospect into a legitimate title threat has been a remarkable one. In early 2021, he had lost three of his last four, and was on a two-fight skid heading into a pivotal UFC Fight Night bout with former Cage Warriors champion Modestas Bukauskas. His TKO victory over the UK-based Lithuanian striker gave him a confidence-boosting victory and, crucially, provided something to build on as he looked to make strides up the 205-pound division in the UFC’s post-pandemic era.
A TKO finish of Karl Roberson followed, then a split-decision victory after a back-and-forth war with former kickboxer Dustin Jacoby gave him three wins in a row. Rountree was back on form, and he was far from finished there.
His first-round knockout of former heavyweight Chris Daukaus saw Rountree earn a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. It meant that, as well as extending his win streak, he had clear feedback – the UFC brass were watching, and they were impressed.
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Rountree carried that momentum into his next bout, a co-main event assignment at the UFC APEX against former title challenger Anthony “Lionheart” Smith. Once again, Rountree’s evolving striking game produced a knockout finish as he stunned Smith early in the third round. It also earned him a second Performance of the Night award in successive fights.
But, more importantly than the extra paycheck, Rountree’s impressive resumé and stellar form through 2023 saw him rewarded with a shot at the undisputed UFC light heavyweight title.
Winning respect, despite tasting defeat
The news of his title shot came as a surprise to some. Rountree wasn’t the highest-ranked contender at the time, but he was in the right place at the right time, and in outstanding form. The big question was whether Rountree, who had showcased his improving striking game, and his knockout power, over his recent bouts, was at a level that could compete with Pereira, a former two-division GLORY Kickboxing world champion, and a two-division UFC champ.
The answer was yes.
The pair faced off at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City where, as a huge underdog, Rountree took Pereira deep into the trenches in a memorable back-and-forth war that left both men bloodied, battered and bruised.
Rountree ended up on the losing end of the result when he was stopped late in the fourth round, but while he came up short in his title tilt, he won the respect of the crowd with his gritty performance. It proved to the world that Rountree belonged in the UFC’s light heavyweight elite.
Bouncing back in Baku
After his title fight defeat, and the gruelling, punishing nature of the bout itself, Rountree spent some time resting and recuperating before eventually returning to the Octagon in June this year in the main event of UFC Baku. Rountree’s opponent in the Azerbaijani capital was former champion Jamahal Hill, who was also looking to return to the top of the division.
Another entertaining striking matchup was expected, and Rountree delivered a superb display of technical striking as he claimed a dominant victory on the judges’ scorecards, earning scores of 49-46, 50-45, 50-45.
“Everybody knows, I say it over and over again, I want to be a champion,” he said after his victory.
“So whatever’s next. I know there’s things that need to be done. But for me, if I have to fight Magomed Ankalaev next, I would do it. If I have to fight someone in between that, I’ll do it. But whatever gets me closer to fighting for the belt again.”
Ready to prove himself again
That next fight takes place on October 4 at T-Mobile Arena, where Rountree will take on another former UFC champion. Czech Republic’s Jiri Prochazka is one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet in any weight class, and his unusual, unorthodox style has been the undoing of many a fighter over the course of his career.
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But Rountree is a man on a mission, and he’ll be ready to call upon the same grit and determination that pushed Pereira so hard in his title challenge, while operating with even sharper, cleaner striking than we saw against Hill. But, as he told reporters during media day ahead of his fight at UFC 320, Rountree said that he’d prefer not to have to go into the trenches again, though if that’s what was needed, he’s more than ready to do whatever it takes to get his hand raised.
“I hope not!” Rountree laughed.
“I’m ready for whatever. Honestly, everything right now is light-hearted, but I’m prepared for whatever. I think that after that Alex (Pereira) fight, I proved to myself how far I can go and how far I’m willing to go, if the fight goes there.
“Am I praying for this violent, bloody fight? Absolutely not! If it goes there, it goes there, and I’m prepared.”
If he can put it all together, there’s a chance Rountree could find himself next in line for a shot at the light heavyweight title. And with the championship itself being contested between current champ Magomed Ankalaev and former champ Pereira, it remains to be seen who’ll leave Las Vegas as the defending champion.
Whoever’s holding the belt after October 4, Rountree wants to make sure he’s next.
