- Khalil Rountree explained the reasoning behind his callout on Alex Pereira at UFC Vegas 83
- “The War Horse” speculated on how a fight with “Poatan” will come down
Khalil Rountree is optimistic about being ready for a title fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira on the heels of his KO win over Anthony Smith at UFC Vegas 83. According to “The War Horse,” he wasn’t the only one thinking that fight makes sense.
The fans want it, Khalil wants it
Speaking to the media in his post-fight presser, Rountree pointed out that fans have been suggesting a showdown with Pereira ever since “Poatan” won the light heavyweight title.
“I don’t ever call people out, “I don’t think you guys have any record of me ever calling anybody out, but in my mind, knowing that if I beat Anthony Smith, that would get me into the top 10,” Rountree said. “And I know that the way the rankings kind of work, I just know that I have to be in the top 10 to even be worthy of fighting for a title.
“In my opinion, and I think in the fans’ opinion, the most exciting fight would be me vs. Pereira,” he added. “That’s just what I’ve seen from comments. Things like that, after Alex’s win, I got flooded, people tagging me, and I think it makes sense. Two dynamic, powerful strikers.”
There will be no takedowns
Rountree went on and weighed in on how a fight with Pereira might play out. For “The War Horse,” he could see them both staying on the feet and having a strike fest.
“I don’t plan to shoot any takedowns. I don’t think I’ve ever shot for a takedown in my career,” Rountree said. “I don’t think he’s necessarily going to shoot for any takedowns, because the guy’s a warrior. So, then you have two explosive, dynamic [fighters] in my mind, it just makes sense.”
The win over Smith will see Rountree breaking into the light heavyweight division’s Top 10. However, it is still yet to be known if the UFC sees him as a potential title contender.
As it stands, Rountree has now won five fights in a row. Four of which came by way of KO/TKO.
Check out Rountree’s full presser below:
