Khalil Rountree Jr. “The War Horse”
Light Heavyweight · United States · UFC
Aggressive southpaw Muay Thai striker
Left straight and punishing Muay Thai kicks — scored the first oblique-kick TKO in UFC history
Record & stats
| Division | Light Heavyweight |
|---|---|
| Categories | MMA |
| Promotion | UFC |
| Nationality | United States |
| Team | Syndicate MMA (Las Vegas) / Tiger Muay Thai (Phuket) |
| Height | 185cm |
| Reach | 194cm (76.5in) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Age | 36 |
| KO rate | 64% |
| Status | Active |
How the wins come
64% Finish rate- 9 KO/TKO · 64%
- 5 Decision · 36%
Titles & honors
- UFC Light Heavyweight title challenger (UFC 307, 2024)
- The Ultimate Fighter 23 light heavyweight finalist (2016)
Biography
Khalil Rountree Jr. is one of the most explosive strikers in the UFC light heavyweight division. Born in Los Angeles in 1990, he transformed his life through martial arts — shedding well over 100 pounds as a young man — before turning pro in 2014 and reaching the UFC as a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 23 in 2016. Training between Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas and Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, the southpaw built one of the sport's purest Muay Thai arsenals, delivering highlight-reel finishes of Gokhan Saki, Chris Daukaus and Anthony Smith and scoring the first oblique-kick TKO in UFC history against Modestas Bukauskas. A five-fight win streak earned him a title shot against Alex Pereira at UFC 307, where he pushed the champion in a Fight of the Night war. He rebounded emphatically, dominating former champion Jamahal Hill over five rounds in Baku in June 2025. After a setback against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 320, "The War Horse" now headlines UFC Abu Dhabi against former champion Magomed Ankalaev on July 25, 2026 — a matchup that could vault him straight back into the title picture.
Fight history
- LJiri ProchazkaL KO R3
- WJamahal HillW UD 5
- LAlex PereiraL TKO R4
- WAnthony SmithW TKO R3
- WChris DaukausW TKO R1
FAQ
- What is Khalil Rountree Jr.'s MMA record?
- As of July 2026 his professional record is 14-7 with 1 No Contest, and 9 of his 14 wins have come by KO/TKO.
- When does Khalil Rountree Jr. fight next?
- He headlines UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi against former champion Magomed Ankalaev on July 25, 2026, at Etihad Arena.
- Has Khalil Rountree Jr. ever fought for a UFC title?
- Yes — he challenged Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 307 in October 2024, falling by fourth-round TKO in a Fight of the Night battle.
- Did Khalil Rountree Jr. beat Jamahal Hill?
- Yes — he defeated the former champion by unanimous decision in the UFC on ABC 8 main event in Baku on June 21, 2025.