Mild heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. are set to conflict in a five-round principal occasion for the UFC’s return to Kansas Metropolis on April 26.
UFC officers announced the matchup Wednesday together with the remainder of the principle card that features the beforehand confirmed struggle the place Anthony Smith is predicted to retire after going through Zhang Mingyang in a 205-pound showdown.
As for the headliner, Hill seems to bounce again following consecutive knockout losses to reigning UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former champion Jiri Prochazka in his previous two outings. Previous to these losses, Hill had rattled off 4 straight wins together with a title struggle victory over Glover Teixeira to grow to be UFC mild heavyweight champion.
Hill relinquished the belt after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon that saved him out of motion for a number of months earlier than returning at UFC 300 for the struggle in opposition to Pereira.
In the meantime, Rountree returns after a valiant however shedding effort in opposition to Pereira at UFC 307 this previous October in his first alternative at turning into UFC champion. The 34-year-old fighter didn’t win, however he gained a number of recognition for giving Pereira every thing he may deal with proper up till the conclusion of the struggle.
Rountree earned the title struggle after 5 straight wins, which included knockouts of Smith and Chris Daukaus in addition to a call victory over Dustin Jacoby.
Hill and Rountree had been beforehand scheduled to sq. off at UFC 303 in June 2024, however Rountree was pressured out of the competition after receiving a two-month suspension for banned substances.
Along with the principle occasion, the UFC additionally confirmed the complete principal card for UFC Kansas Metropolis, which you’ll see beneath:
MAIN EVENT: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.
Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang
