A Life-Changing Defeat

Khalil Rountree was in a bad place mentally when he suffered a significant defeat against Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night 140 in November 2018. This loss offered him new perspectives, taking him on a transformative journey that has led him to a potential title fight against reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. At UFC 307 this weekend, Rountree faces Pereira, a formidable opponent who shouldn’t be underestimated. However, Rountree’s confidence in himself remains unwavering, as he discussed during his appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s ‘Mighty’ podcast.

“I lost to Johnny Walker, a fight I knew I could win. I wasn’t there emotionally or mentally; I didn’t even want to be there,” Rountree admitted. He went on to explain, “Before the fight, I told my coaches it was bad. I didn’t want to be there, and I ended up getting knocked out for the first time in my career.”

A Wake-Up Call and Technical Improvements

That knockout served as a wake-up call for Rountree. He took time to reflect on his emotional and mental state going into the fight but also realized how much he still needed to learn from a technical perspective. Analyzing his mistakes, Rountree identified areas where he was lacking, especially in clinch work and the use of elbows.

“I had never learned how to defend against elbows. I didn’t even know how to use them offensively. But I’ve always loved Muay Thai, and I knew it’s a big part of the sport,” Rountree shared.

The Journey to Thailand

Armed with these new insights, Rountree made a life-changing decision to travel to Thailand to fully immerse himself in Muay Thai. At that time, he had just lost a fight he believed he should have won, and he had a lot to work on, both mentally and technically.

“I decided to go to Thailand. I’m going to learn from this [loss], and I’m going to learn Muay Thai the right way,” Rountree stated.

His initial time in Thailand was unlike anything he had experienced before. He trained at a gym in Bangkok that wasn’t swarming with tourists, where he met Cypriot Muay Thai fighter Savvas Michael. Michael, who has competed in ONE Championship and the Rajadamnern World Series, offered Rountree invaluable advice on surviving the intense Muay Thai training in Thailand.

“You’ve got to learn the language, here’s where you eat, this is how you get around,” Rountree recounted Michael’s advice. He added, “I loved it. The Thai culture and people are so welcoming. I’ve never been to a country where I felt so accepted.”

Eyeing the Championship Belt

After enduring a difficult time back home, Rountree found a sense of belonging in Thailand. Initially, he planned to stay for just one month, but it turned into nearly three years. He felt so at home that he even considered leaving his UFC career behind to focus on Muay Thai and live permanently in Thailand. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his plans, which may have been a blessing in disguise for his UFC career. Rountree returned to the United States to test his new skills and was clear about his ultimate goal.

“I want the belt. My goal is to be champion,” Rountree expressed.

Fast forward to 2024, Alex Pereira is the reigning light heavyweight champion. He has dismantled his recent opponents, leaving many to wonder who can stop him. Rountree is next in line to attempt to dethrone the champion this weekend, and he has a clear strategy on how to do so.

“I’m going to stand and fight. Neither of us are fools. We both know who we’re up against. It’s an exciting time,” Rountree said confidently.

UFC 307: Full Fight Card

Main Card

Starts at 3:00 AM BST, Sunday, October 6th – available on BT Sport

Light Heavyweight (Title Fight): Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr
Women’s Bantamweight (Title Fight): Raquel Pennington vs Julianna Pena
Bantamweight: Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista
Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira vs Kayla Harrison
Middleweight: Roman Dolidze vs Kevin Holland

Preliminary Card

Starts at 1:00 AM BST, Sunday, October 6th – available on UFC Fight Pass

Welterweight: Stephen Thompson vs Joaquin Buckley
Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez vs Iasmin Lucindo
Middleweight: Cesar Almeida vs Ihor Potieria
Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez vs Austin Hubbard

Early Prelims

Starts at 11:00 PM BST, Saturday, October 5th – available on UFC Fight Pass

Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann vs Ovince St Preux
Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza vs Tecia Pennington
Welterweight: Court McGee vs Mickey Gall

Rountree’s journey from a crushing loss to a title shot against one of the most dangerous fighters in the division is a testament to his resilience, growth, and dedication to the sport.

Sources: MMAnytt.se

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