Khalil Rountree Jr. could have misplaced to Alex Pereira at UFC 307, however he didn’t really feel too unhealthy about it.
Again in October, Rountree almost pulled off an unimaginable upset, giving mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira all he might deal with earlier than in the end getting completed within the fourth spherical of their title struggle. The struggle was the actualization of his dream, so regardless of the loss, “The Warfare Horse” says he was fairly joyful 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 informed Combat Power Movies. “However I requested for that struggle from the start. I at all times knew that I needed to struggle 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 joyful. Even the second after I received completed within the fourth spherical, I simply felt so joyful all through that entire struggle. 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 joyful; 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 huge distinction,” Rountree mentioned. “The time between now and that struggle, there’s been an enormous distinction of feelings. However it’s been extra good than unhealthy. I feel the reflection level, I’m targeted on getting higher now, as a result of I wish to proceed to win. I wish to proceed to placed on thrilling fights, however I wish to proceed on the trail of changing into a champion. That’s nonetheless one thing I wish to be and I’m going to work in direction of being.
“However it’s additionally good that though I’m not a champion, I’ve received this degree of respect and recognition {that a} champion would have. So it’s a bizarre place to be in, however it’s good. I’ve nonetheless received some work to do.”
And now having had a number of months to mirror, 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 change into a world champion. He simply must hold working.
“I’d say particularly within the struggle in opposition to Alex, I knew that he was a harmful fighter, and so there was a wholesome degree of warning in that struggle,” Rountree mentioned. “I feel that shifting ahead, I feel it is going to be good to have warning however I see myself actually having the ability to let free shifting ahead. I don’t wish 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 provide. 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 struggle actually put it into perspective. It actually helped me to see the hole of the place I wish to be versus the place I’m. it simply sort of woke me up.”
