In the UFC Baku headliner, light heavyweight knockout artist Khalil Rountree Jr. returned to the Octagon looking to climb back into the title picture after coming up short against Alex Pereira in October.
Standing in his way was Jamahal Hill, a former 205-pound titleholder determined to prove that he’s still a legitimate threat in the division after suffering a pair of brutal back-to-back knockouts.
Round 1
Rountree lethargically makes his way to the center of the Octagon as the fight stars. Neither fighter is eager to get the action going. Hill opens things up with a calf kick. Rountree gives him one right back before offering up a right hook. Hill continues to work the lead leg of Rountree. ‘The War Horse’ fires a leg kick of his own that buckles Hill briefly. Hill lands a shot to the body and eats a leg kick in return. Rountree throws a lead right hook that partially connects. Hill shakes it off, but is quickly met with another nasty leg kick from Rountree.
Things are starting to open up with a minute to go in the round. Rountree throws a thudding kick to the body. Hill throws a couple of out-of-range jabs as the horn sounds.
Round 2
Rountree opens things up with another calf kick. Hill definitely felt that one, in addition to the body shot that Rountree offers up immediately after. Rountree throws another kick to Hill’s right leg, and ‘Sweet Dreams’ nearly drops to the canvas. Hill is periodically switching stances, trying to protect his leg. Rountree lands another kick to the leg, and Hill is noticeably limping as we reach the halfway point of the second stanza.
Rountree is circling the cage, and Hill is chasing him, failing to cut off the cage. Rountree looks like a fighter who’s just playing with his food at this point. Rountree slips during an exchange and eats a right hand from Hill on his way back up. Hill continues to chase Rountree around the Octagon for the remainder of the round.
Round 3
Rountree is staying patient and narrowly misses with a counter left. Both fighters exchange rights. Rountree lands a counter left that connects. Hill shakes his head no, acting as though the strike didn’t land. Rountree connects with another counter left. This time, it sits Hill down. Hill quickly pops back up and is met with another nasty leg kick. Hill doubles up on the jab and nearly gets clocked with a left that draws some blood.
Rountree connects with a body kick that gets an audible gasp from the commentary team. Rountree unleashes a looping right hook that lands on Hill’s chin, sending him to the mat for the second time in round three. Hill gets up and gets back on his front foot, but the clock expires before he can attempt to respond.
Round 4
Rountree is controlling the action in the fourth as Hill gingerly navigates the Octagon on his compromised right leg. Rountree lands another low kick, and Hill has no response. Rountree throws a right to the body and puts a left hook behind it, clipping Hill and nearly knocking him down once again. Rountree lands a body kick and unleashes another left hook. This time, Hill gets his guard up just in time.
Rountree is being hesitant despite being in complete control, drawing boos from the crowd that didn’t bail immediately after Rafael Fiziev’s fight.
‘The War Horse’ finally throws another shot that stumbles Hill. Rountree follows it up with another calf kick. Hill tries to respond, but he can’t muster much power on one leg. The round expires, and a dejected Hill slowly heads back to his corner.
Round 5
Rountree rips a combination to the body. Hill looks like he’s trying to pick up the pace, likely recognizing that he needs a finish if he hopes to leave Azerbaijan with a win. Rountree nearly connects with a right, and Hill looks frustrated. Rountree with a body shot. Hill pressures forward with a couple of jabs, but he’s not putting any combinations behind them.
Rountree goes to the body once again. A left hook from Rountree connects. Rountree scores with a counter right, but eats a jab from Hill in exchange. Hill moves in and nearly walks into a looping left hook. Rountree goes back to attacking the lead leg. Rountree continues to throw the left hook. With 10 seconds to go, Hill tries to close the distance, but eats a couple of body shots and backs away, allowing the final seconds to run off the clock.
Official Result: Khalil Rountree Jr. def. Jamahal Hill via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
Check Out Highlights From Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Jamahal Hill at UFC Baku:
Khalil Rountree drops Jamahal Hill in the third round 😳 #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/qN44nWqWxg
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 21, 2025
Khalil Rountree is having his way against Jamahal Hill #UFCBakupic.twitter.com/O3AgJiEwam
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) June 21, 2025
Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. go the distance!
How did you score it?! #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/uJm5G5t6Lr
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 21, 2025
🗣️ “You’re not easy to read and I gotta protect myself!”
Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. exchange words after the bell 👀 #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/U9Ou0oCb29
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 21, 2025
KHALIL ROUNTREE DEFEATS JAMAHAL HILL BY UNANIMOUS DECISION! #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/gtktj2tLSo
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 21, 2025
