Light heavyweight knockout artist Khalil Rountree stepped inside the Octagon for the first time in 2023 at UFC Vegas 78 on Saturday night, seeking his fourth-straight win over the last two years.
Rountree returned to The APEX riding the moment of three impressive performances against Modestas Bukauskas, Karl Roberson, and Dustin Jacoby. Standing in his making of making it four in a row was Philly native Chris Daukaus. Coming up short in his last three outings at heavyweight, Daukaus his moving a move to 205 will get him back into the win column against one of the promotion’s most exciting strikers.
Round 1
It doesn’t take long for the fireworks to start flying with Daukaus throwing the first big combination of the fight. Daukaus again moves in with a series of strikes and eats a left counter from Rountree. Daukaus again moves in and eats a counter right from Rountree that takes him off balance. Already done dealing with Rountree’s power, Daukaus closes the distance and attempts to use his grappling skills.
Khalil Rountree is able to defend and separate, returning to the center of the Octagon near the halfway point of the round. Daukaus initiates another exchange and Rountree once again responds with the counter right followed by a straight left that sits Daukaus down. Rountree moves in and drops some ground and pound strikes, forcing the referee to step in and call for the stoppage in round one.
Official Result: Khalil Rountree def. Chris Daukaus via TKO (strikes) at 2:40 of Round 1.
Check Out Highlights From Khalil Rountree vs. Chris Daukaus at UFC Vegas 78 Below:
ROUNTREE BROUGHT THE POWER 💥 #UFCVEGAS78 pic.twitter.com/ZObZakmPod
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 13, 2023
🚨Khalil Rountree gets the first round knockout!🚨 #UFCVegas78 https://t.co/ddYmXjmSKd
— NoSmokeSport (@NoSmokeSport) August 13, 2023
Khalil Rountree fights like he just caught you in bed with his wife. pic.twitter.com/QM6uMmAqTt
— MartialMind 🇳🇬🇺🇲 (@MartialMind1) August 13, 2023
That fourth-straight victory tastes sweet for @KhalilRountree 💪💪💪 #UFCVegas78 continues LIVE on @ESPN! pic.twitter.com/5SxrMgTXXt
— UFC (@ufc) August 13, 2023
