UFC light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree made headlines with his candid remarks about his upcoming fight against Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Known for his striking prowess, Rountree expressed strong reservations about adopting a grappling-heavy game plan, even if it meant having a serious discussion with his coach.
Rountree, who has built his career on his Muay Thai skills, emphasized his commitment to standing and striking with Alex Pereira, a former GLORY kickboxing champion. When asked about the possibility of his coach suggesting a takedown strategy, Rountree didn’t mince words. “If they were my coach, I’d say maybe I need to look for another coach,” he stated. “I’m not a wrestler. Yes, I’m a mixed martial artist. I’m able to do a lot of different things. My grappling’s good, my wrestling’s decent. But that’s just not me. That’s not my instinct. Why would I put myself in harm’s way?”.
Khalil Rountree is Confident to Face Alex Pereira
Rountree’s comments highlight his confidence in his striking abilities and his belief that sticking to his strengths is the best path to victory. He acknowledged that while he respects the versatility required in mixed martial arts, he feels that a sudden shift in strategy would undermine the work he and his team have put into honing his striking skills.
“It would just show me that if my coach were telling me, ‘Hey, this is the way,’ I’d be like, man, who are you coaching because this has never been the game plan,” Rountree added.
The upcoming bout between Rountree and Alex Pereira is highly anticipated, with both fighters known for their devastating striking. Alex Pereira, who transitioned from kickboxing to MMA, has shown vulnerabilities in grappling, leading some to suggest that a wrestling approach might be Rountree’s best chance. However, Rountree remains steadfast in his approach, aiming to outstrike Pereira and secure the light heavyweight title on his terms.
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