UFC: Khalil Rountree says Gokhan Saki KO has changed everything at least for now

UFC 226 main card kicked off with light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr. taking on kickboxing legend Gokhan ‘The Rebel’ Saki.

Against all the odds, Rountree gave Saki a taste of his own medicine by flooring him in the first round to win the fight via KO.

“I needed this for myself,” Rountree (6-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) said. “So what it felt was just like I knocked a big demon off my shoulder, like, OK, what’s next?”

Rountree revealed that his social media was flooded with Gokhan Saki’s fans claiming Rountree will land on the canvas unconscious. However when the opposite happened, Rountree was rather relieved.

I’ve dealt with a lot, so for it to finally be over, I’m not like, ‘Hurray!’ But I’m like, (sigh),” Rountree said. “Now I can continue. I got a win, got some extra money, can take care of my family the way that I want to, and move forward.”

“I don’t even think I looked at him,” Rountree said. “I think I just stepped in and threw a left just in case he was in the area. But when I saw him drop, I kind of took my time, because in the past, I’ve rushed into things.”