Khalil Rountree experienced something strange in his brutal loss to UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) was battered in a Round 4 TKO loss to Pereira at UFC 307 this past October. He underwent septoplasty surgery from the damage suffered in the fight.
Although Rountree failed to become champion, he put up a valiant effort which elevated his stock.
“It was a bit surreal to be standing in front of him in moments, in the faceoff and stuff,” Rountree told Fight Energy Films. “But I asked for that fight from the beginning. I always knew that I wanted to fight him, so when I was there, it was just more of a thing of like, ‘OK, yeah, I’m finally here’ – not so much I’m here in front of this guy. It was more of, this is what I’ve wanted, this is the moment I’ve always imagined.
“He is a big guy, he is strong, he is everything, but it didn’t really mix me up too much. I was happy and prepared. … The only thing I can really remember is just being happy. Even the moment when I got finished in the fourth round, I just felt so happy throughout that whole fight. It felt like I was where I belonged. I felt like I belonged there. It was really like living in a dream and there was nothing but happiness and excitement in those moments.”
Prior to the title loss, Rountree was on a five-fight winning streak. The setback to Pereira has gotten him more respect from fans, leaving him more determined than ever to fulfill his goal of becoming champion.
“Very big contrast – the time between now and that fight, there’s been a huge contrast of emotions,” Rountree said. “But it’s been more good than bad. I think the reflection point, I’m focused on getting better now because I want to continue to win. I want to continue to put on exciting fights, but I want to continue on the path of becoming a champion.
“That’s still something that I want to be, and I’m going to work towards being. But it’s also really nice that although I’m not a champion, I’ve got this level of respect and recognition that a champion would have. So it’s a weird position to be in, but it’s nice, and I’ve still got some work to do.”
