Khalil Rountree refuses to talk about Magomed Ankalaev and says he doesn’t like him as a human or fighter
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 24, 2025
"I can say confidently, am I a fan? Absolutely not — both as a human and a fighter. He just talks shit. I don't like people who talk shit for no reason. If I didn't say… pic.twitter.com/JdxqrKfUvg
“Warhorse” is fed up with “Big Ank.”
Khalil Rountree has a bone to pick with UFC Light Heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev, as the champ’s been talking a lot of trash and slinging insults like calling
Rountree “Bum Tree” on multiple occasions.
With Ankalaev set to defend his title against Pereira at UFC 320 in October, Rountree, a potential next challenger, aired his grievances on Joe Rogan’s podcast, slamming Ankalaev as both a fighter and a person.
“I can say confidently, am I a fan? Absolutely not,” Rountree told Rogan when asked about Ankalaev. “As a human or a fighter?” Rogan pressed. “Both,” Rountree shot back.
The 35-year-old didn’t hold back, explaining why Ankalaev’s trash talk rubs him the wrong way.
“He just talks s—t, and I hate people who talk s—t,” Rountree said. “Dude, I just don’t like it. I don’t like people who talk s—t for no reason. If I didn’t say anything to you, if I’ve never f—king mentioned your name, then why are you talking s—t about me or disrespecting me?”
Later in the podcast, the topic of trash talk came up again, and Rountree doubled down.
“I hate it. I just f—king hate it because it’s unnecessary,” Rountree said. “Even as an adult, I’ve had to deal with this s—t my whole life. It’s a toxic way of being, and it’s passed along through social media, where kids are f—king getting beat up for it. We’re grown men on a large platform, and people look up to us for many different things. They envision us as gladiators. Is this what you’re choosing to do as a fighter? We have a responsibility.”
“I feel like as an athlete, as a champion—No. 1—you have a responsibility,” Rountree added. “You have a belt around your waist and all these eyes on you with a microphone, and that’s what you choose to say? To talk s—t and degrade my name when I’m not even above you or challenging you for a fight? To me, that’s like, spend your time wisely.
“It’s motivation for me because I just won’t do that,” Rountree concluded. “I think there are so many different things that can be done when you have that belt. That belt is an honor.”
Ankalaev, or perhaps his manager Ali Abdelaziz tweeting for him, has found a new voice since winning the title, cranking up the trash talk. Beyond the “Bum Tree” jabs, he’s taken shots at Pereira, suggesting the former champ is retired and dodging fights. This has clearly gotten under Rountree’s skin, setting the stage for a heated rivalry.
As UFC CEO Dana White always says, “It’s the fight business.”
With Rountree or Jiri Prochazka fighting on the UFC 320 card, a win could line up “Warhorse” for a crack at Ankalaev’s title—and a chance to settle the score.
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