Khalil
Rountree believes he is deserving of a title shot following his
spectacular win over former title contender Anthony
Smith in the co-main event at UFC
Fight Night 233 on Saturday.
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Smith stepped up on 15 days’ notice after Rountree’s original
opponent, Azamat
Murzakanov, pulled out due to pneumonia. Rountree clearly
outstruck “Lionheart” from the outset of the fight before brutally
knocking him out with an uppercut and left hook combo early in the
third round. This marked the fifth consecutive victory for “The War
Horse,” a streak which includes finishes against Modestas
Bukauskas, Karl
Roberson and Chris
Daukaus.
In the aftermath of his latest victory, the streaking light
heavyweight shot for the stars by calling for a title shot against
Alex
Pereira. However, the Tiger Muay Thai rep is also aware that he
might have to pass other tests before making a gold bid.
“I came in with high hopes I would have a good performance,” the
33-year-old said in his post-fight Octagon i interview.
“Las Vegas is the home of the UFC. And in my mind, I feel like it’s
time to have a champion at home. I’m in the Top 10 now and the only
thing that I want to do is fight Alex
Pereira. I know that I have other people that I have to
possibly fight, but I know that’s a fight the fans would want to
see. I think that from what I’ve seen, the fans would love to see
that fight.”
Rountree further justified his callout of “Poatan” during his
post-fight
media scrum.
“I think it makes sense,” Rountree said. “Two dynamic strikers,
powerful strikers. I don’t plan to shoot any takedowns. I don’t
think I’ve ever shot for a takedown in my career. I don’t think he
is necessarily going to shoot for any takedowns because the guy’s a
warrior. So, then you’ve got two, explosive, dynamic strikers. Now
me being in the [Top 10], you know in my mind, it makes sense.”