Khalil Rountree might not have the credentials to match Alex Pereira in relation to profession accomplishments, but it surely doesn’t make him any much less harmful once they begin buying and selling bombs at UFC 307.
Ever since he first began doing MMA, Rountree’s wins have been normally outlined by highlight-reel knockouts, and he’s by no means feared buying and selling strikes with anyone. That included his 2018 struggle in opposition to Gokhan Saki, who was probably the most credentialed kickboxers to ever set foot within the UFC octagon, and Rountree wanted simply over 90 seconds to ship him to the shadow realm.
Rountree’s longtime head coach John Wooden says the vibes are feeling awfully comparable forward of a showdown in opposition to Pereira this weekend.
“When the Gokhan Saki struggle occurred for Khalil, he was simply amped,” Wooden instructed MMA Preventing. “There was no hesitation. Identical factor with this. We’re going to take it the identical means. He’s going to shock lots of people.
“I imagine Khalil can stand with anyone on this planet. He’s received that degree of expertise in relation to hanging.”
Now simply because Wooden has full confidence in Rountree’s skill to finish the struggle with strikes, he’s not Pereira as a straightforward opponent by any stretch of the creativeness.
Since transferring to mild heavyweight, Pereira has gone undefeated and delivered three consecutive knockouts over two former UFC champions in Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill. Pereira is extensively thought-about probably the most deadly striker within the sport, and Wooden absolutely acknowledges that must be revered.
“Pereira, everyone knows what he’s finished and doing,” Wooden mentioned. “He’s the legit boogeyman within the UFC proper now. It’s the type of stuff that will get me going within the morning. I adore it.
“There’s little question Alex is the most effective on this planet at that division. The man is as scary as they arrive. He’s received the ability. He’s received the dying contact. He’s received all the pieces going for him proper now, the hype, it’s not a straightforward job. I’ve a variety of respect for the man for what he does. However with that being mentioned, he’s by no means fought someone like Khalil.”
On the subject of the potential exchanges on the toes, Wooden believes there are completely areas the place Rountree can put a hurting on Pereira the place different opponents have failed.
“[Alex Pereira has] by no means fought someone who has the ability, the pace, the imaginative and prescient, the timing that Khalil has,” Wooden mentioned. “Khalil — I’m not going to say he’s higher than Alex however he’s higher at sure issues.
“Alex is basically good at doing what he does and it doesn’t at all times look fairly. As a coach, you might simply get caught up and say all of his stuff is technically unsuitable. He does that on the highest degree. He does a variety of his shit to deliver you in, to attract you in to assume you will get there after which knocks you out. Khalil can do all that, only a lot sharper.”
As a result of a lot consideration has been paid to the hanging exchanges, Wooden rapidly factors out that it’s an MMA struggle and something can occur. Which means the group at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas is getting Rountree prepared for all the pieces — together with a potential takedown try from Pereira.
“Attempt to take him down,” Wooden mentioned. “It’s going to be robust and also you’re in all probability going to get clipped doing it. We’re prepared for all aspects. I talked to him at this time [and told him] you would possibly clip Alex and he would possibly wish to flip this right into a wrestling match. We’re going to be prepared for all the pieces.”
Regardless of the way it performs out, Wooden doesn’t see any world the place Rountree and Pereira go for the complete 5 rounds. The excessive possibilities that this struggle ends in violent style needed to not less than play some half within the UFC’s matchmaking.
Wooden wouldn’t provide an actual prediction however he expects Rountree to win and put Pereira away to do it.
“I cannot be shocked in any respect when this struggle ends early and Khalil has that belt wrapped round his waist,” Wooden mentioned. “If and folks that have adopted, Khalil is one other a kind of guys actually coming into his MMA sport, actually coming into his personal as a fighter the final couple of fights. I don’t see this struggle going 5 rounds. There’s no humanly potential means that occurs and I don’t see Khalil dropping.
“I feel someone goes out and I don’t assume it’s going to be us and that’s with all due respect to Pereira and his group. He’s received a legendary coach. He’s a legend in his personal proper. It’s an honor to teach in opposition to these guys. Clearly, I’ve received a stay canine on this struggle and I feel that we’re going to get it. There’s little question in my thoughts that Khalil leaves that cage with the belt.”
After all, Rountree has handled some criticism that he didn’t earn this chance and there have been extra deserving contenders on the market. He’s largely brushed that off and stayed targeted on the duty at hand, which is thrashing Pereira on Saturday.
His coach mentioned a lot the identical however promised if there’s any query about whether or not or not Rountree belongs in the identical cage as Pereira, he’ll give an emphatic reply on Saturday.
“I feel you’re going to see the most effective Khalil Rountree that you just’ve ever seen,” Wooden mentioned. “That could be a scary, scary man.”