At UFC Baku, Khalil Rountree delivered a technical masterclass that left no doubts about his position among the elite of the UFC light heavyweight division. Against former champion Jamahal Hill, Rountree’s calculated dismantling showcased his evolution as a striker — and had fans instantly calling for a clash with Jiri Prochazka.
The first round saw both fighters testing the waters with leg kicks, but it was Rountree who quickly took over in the second. Targeting both of Hill’s legs with relentless precision, he disrupted Hill’s rhythm and gradually neutralized his footwork. As the damage accumulated, Hill’s mobility clearly faded.
By round three, the tempo stayed patient, but Rountree seized the biggest moment of the night — twice. A sharp left dropped Hill briefly, and a follow-up right just before the horn further cemented Rountree’s dominance. His performance remained consistent in the fourth and fifth, mixing surgical kicks with well-placed body shots, leaving little for Hill to respond with.
Having won six of his last seven, Rountree bounced back impressively after his previous setback — a failed title bid against Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Hill, meanwhile, continues to struggle since vacating the belt, suffering his third consecutive loss after setbacks to Pereira at UFC 300 and Prochazka at UFC 311.
With calls growing louder for Rountree vs. Prochazka, the division may soon witness another fan-favorite war. Rountree has proven he’s not just dangerous — he’s downright elite.
