Khalil Rountree Jr. could have misplaced to Alex Pereira at UFC 307, however he didn’t really feel too dangerous about it.
Again in October, Rountree almost pulled off an unimaginable upset, giving gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira all he may deal with earlier than in the end getting completed within the fourth spherical of their title combat. The combat was the actualization of his dream, so regardless of the loss, “The Struggle Horse” says he was fairly completely satisfied even within the second of his defeat.
“It was a bit surreal to be standing in entrance of him in moments, within the face-off and stuff,” Rountree advised Fight Energy Films. “However I requested for that combat from the start. I at all times knew that I needed to combat him, so after I was there, it was simply extra of a factor … that is what I’ve needed, that is what I’ve at all times imagined. …
“The one factor I can actually keep in mind is simply being completely satisfied. Even the second after I received completed within the fourth spherical, I simply felt so completely satisfied all through that entire combat. It felt like I used to be the place I belonged. I felt like I belonged there. So it was actually like residing in a dream and there was nothing however happiness and pleasure in these moments.”
Rountree was not the one one completely satisfied; his admirable efficiency earned reward from UFC CEO Dana White and from followers. So despite the fact that he didn’t declare the sunshine heavyweight title, it was nonetheless a star-making efficiency for Rountree, who says that over the previous few months, the response from followers has led to a distinction of feelings for him.
“Very massive distinction,” Rountree mentioned. “The time between now and that combat, there’s been an enormous distinction of feelings. However it’s been extra good than dangerous. I feel the reflection level, I’m centered on getting higher now, as a result of I need to proceed to win. I need to proceed to placed on thrilling fights, however I need to proceed on the trail of changing into a champion. That’s nonetheless one thing I need to be and I’m going to work in the direction of being.
“However it’s additionally good that though I’m not a champion, I’ve received this stage of respect and recognition {that a} champion would have. So it’s a bizarre place to be in, nevertheless it’s good. I’ve nonetheless received some work to do.”
And now having had a number of months to replicate, Rountree is aware of precisely what work he must do. As a result of, having come so near the mountaintop, Rountree now has renewed confidence that he can turn out to be a world champion. He simply must maintain working.
“I’d say particularly within the combat towards Alex, I knew that he was a harmful fighter, and so there was a wholesome stage of warning in that combat,” Rountree mentioned. “I feel that shifting ahead, I feel will probably be good to have warning however I see myself actually having the ability to let unfastened shifting ahead. I don’t need to — I gave all of it. I actually did. I went all the best way to the top, however I nonetheless suppose there’s extra of me to offer. I feel that, so far as my talent and intelligence goes, there’s some room there. …
“I didn’t know till now that I wanted to essentially be taught extra. Clearly, it doesn’t matter what, we’ve received to proceed to develop, we’ve received to proceed to be taught; however I feel this combat actually put it into perspective. It actually helped me to see the hole of the place I need to be versus the place I’m. it simply sort of woke me up.”
