On Saturday night, Khalil Rountree scored a split decision victory over Dustin Jacoby, though not everyone agreed with the judges.
It was another example of judges disagreeing with pretty much everyone at UFC Vegas 63 when they gifted Rountree a decision that appeared to be a no-brainer for his opponent. Heading into the third round as a -1300 favorite according to the live odds, Jacoby found himself on the wrong side of the split, losing two rounds of the three rounds on two scorecards.
Another week, another controversial decision.
The Verdict Scorecard had Dustin Jacoby defeating Khalil Rountree.#UFCVegas63 pic.twitter.com/N7YbPZ2aeF
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) October 29, 2022
Fans were once again understandably upset considering Jacoby had outstruck Rountree in all three rounds with a total strike count of 122 for Jacoby versus 88 for Rountree. Following the contest, Rountree did his best to defend the highly-questionable decision, believing his extra effort in the third round is what swayed the decision in his favor.
“For me personally and what I gave, internally, knowing that I had to come out in the third round and give better effort than the second, I did my very best to just push a little harder,” Rountree said at the post-fight press conference. “Not necessarily than him, but push myself a little bit harder, and so whether the judges gave me that or not, it was a victory for me.
“I was swinging big. I’m OK with it because enough landed for me to get that decision. But that’s definitely not the best version of me. I’m ready to get back and sharpen some stuff because I don’t like how big I was swinging. When I think of the best version of myself, it’s a lot different than that. It’s a little more sharp, a little more bouncing, moving around, stuff like that. Overall, I’m OK.”
There was a fan that stood up and screamed “we need new judges that was a robbery and bullshit” – which is what led Khalil Rountree to tell him to shut up during his post fight interviews
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) October 29, 2022
Khalil Rountree Lobbies to be Added to EA Sports: UFC 4 Video Game
With his win over Jacoby, Khalil Rountree has won three straight and expects to take Jacoby’s No. 13 spot on the light heavyweight ranking. Despite the recent win streak and a potential top 15 ranking, ‘The War Horse’ has no interest in competing again until the UFC meets one very specific term.
“Don’t call me,” Rountree said. “Dana White, Hunter (Campbell), Mick (Maynard) – don’t call me until I’m in the game. Don’t ask me who I want to fight next or when I want to fight next. Put me in the game. Call them. Make a call. Tell EA Sports, ‘Dude, this guy has been in the UFC seven years. Get him in the game.’ That’s all I ask, and then we can start talking about what’s next and who’s next.”
Given his tenure with the promotion, it is a little surprising that Khalil Rountree is nowhere to be found in the promotion’s popular video game. Though it is worth noting that when the game was released in August 2020, Rountree was in the middle of a 1-3 run inside the Octagon.
With his recent trio of victories, perhaps the UFC and EA Sports will see fit to deliver on his request.
