The UFC goes to Baku for the first time in history and the organization has put on a top main card. Closing the night, it’s former champion vs. former number one contender as Jamahal Hill battles Khalil Rountree Jr. Speaking to the media, Hill is ready to go back to title contention with a dominant win on Saturday.
Needless to say, this is a massive fight within the 205 division. Light heavyweight has a new champion in Magomed Ankalaev and this opens plenty of opportunities. Former title fighters that lost to former champ Alex Pereira know that a dominant win can catapult them into the title picture.
“Right now, my only assignment is to go there and defeat Rountree. I want to go and express myself, and I believe everything else will follow accordingly. I feel I’ve had a pretty good build-up to the fight, and I want to dominate,” Hill said.
Jamahal Hill stands strong against a bad streak
‘Sweet Dreams’ was the author of a massacre in the light heavyweight division. With a 12-3 record and 7 knockouts, Hill ascended fast putting people out mercilessly. He developed into knockout artist in a division that needed excitement.
In this handout image provided by UFC, Khalil Rountree Jr. poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on December 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
With three straight finishes, Hill was granted a title shot. He obliterated Glover Texeira for 5 rounds and won the belt. He unfortunately vacated it due to an Achilles heel tear and then he hasn’t been back to the win column. Khalil Rountree Jr. is a dangerous man, but Hill is looking to shake off two straight losses to Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.
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The losses are bitter pills to swallow, but when all your three losses have been knockouts, it’s even tougher. Rountree just fought for the belt in a losing effort vs. Pereira as well. He is also looking to bounce back.
It’s very likely this bout won’t go the distance
When seeing the matchup, it’s highly probable that Hill vs. Rountree Jr. is not going the full five rounds. While Hill has only fought the whole 5 rounds once, Rountree has never even got to a fifth round.
Between both, they have a total 16 knockouts in 25 wins. When you see this power and the fact that both have been knocked out on three occasions, you would be right in assuming the judges’ scorecards won’t be needed. It’s a key fight for both and no mercy will be shown.
