Khalil Rountree Jr. thinks that the light heavyweight division is in trouble if Khazmat Chimaev comes calling.
Next weekend, Chimaev makes the first defense of his middleweight title, taking on Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328. As such, Chimaev has been putting in the hours in the gym, and one of his primary training partners for this fight is former light heavyweight title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. And after spending a lot of time with him on the mat over the past few months, Rountree is thoroughly
impressed by “Borz.”
“It’s definitely exhausting,” Rountree told reporters at a media scrum on Thursday (h/t MMA Junkie) when asked about their training. “It’s exhausting, it’s difficult, it’s humbling. It’s inspiring in a way, too, because his effort and his will, his skill is unmatched. So, when you go up against that, there’s a lot of things that can be said. There’s just a lot of things that can be learned when you truly find yourself going against the best in the world.”
And when he says best in the world, Rountree means it. Chimaev is currently the middleweight champion, but he’s already begun talking about moving up to 205 pounds to chase a second title, and if he decides to do so, Rountree thinks the 205-pound division could be in trouble.
“I feel many different ways,” Rountree said when asked about Chimaev moving up. “When I first heard the news, I was like a bit bummed out, really. Just to know that a guy like Khamzat would come to the division, and could be a potential matchup if that happened, it doesn’t make me happy to think about that.
“I just told you, training with this guy, he’s the best in the world. It’s difficult. It’s difficult in all areas, in standup, in grappling. No one gets an easy round with Khamzat. It doesn’t matter what weight class, what size. So, that was my initial thought, like, ‘Damn, if he made the move up, we’re all kind of screwed.’ That’s kind of how I look at it.”
Rountree has been a staple of the light heavyweight division for nearly a decade, even challenging Alex Pereira for the title in 2024. He currently sits at No. 5 in the UFC’s divisional rankings, and when he looks at the other people above him, “The War Horse” thinks that Chimaev has a good shot against any of them.
“It’s not so much about cleaning out,” Rountree said. “Being able to clean something out, it takes a lot of work. But I think if he were to be placed in the top five right now, there’s really not an easy fight for any of us up there if it were Khamzat Chimaev. When it comes to all of us being heavy in striking, primarily in the top five, then he’s going to find a way around it. And if we just try to up our wrestling to match with him, we’ll get out-matched. So, that’s what I mean. It’s not a clear sweep for him, but it’s not an easy challenge for the guys in the top five if he chose to go up.”
TOP STORIES
Weird. Khamzat Chimaev pitches Zuffa Boxing match against Conor McGregor: ‘Why not … it would be fun.’
Sociopath. Sean Strickland calls Dana White ‘super narcissistic sociopath’ after flippant White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting response.
Jokes. Coach: Khamzat Chimaev ‘laughed’ at Sean Strickland’s gun threats ahead of UFC 328.
Trash. Darren Till mocks Mike Perry and Nate Diaz, slams entire Rousey vs. Carano event: ‘Everyone on that card is trash actually.’
Depressed. Gina Carano admits being ‘depressed’ and in ‘horrific condition’ after ‘Star Wars’ firing and filing lawsuit against Disney.
Danger. UFC Perth’s Tai Tuivasa: ‘My ass is on the line’ after 6 straight losses ‘but I f*cking put asses in the seat.’
VIDEO STEW
UFC Perth Preview Show — Live at Noon E.T.
UFC Perth press conference.
UFC Perth ceremonial weigh-ins.
Rousey vs. Carano official trailer.
More Poatan fight camp.
Paddy Pimblett vlog.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Chael hitting back at Masvidal.
Matt Browns knows.
Full pro-wrestling.
No love.
Weight cutting vibes.
Well, this sounds awful.
Very serious training.
Chito in RAF?
FEED ME MORE
ONE.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Chimaev probably would do very well up at 205 pounds, but if the UFC lets him go up after he beats Strickland, we’ve completely lost the plot. If champions never defend belts, what’s the point of them? We need a new rule: three title defenses before you can move up. Personally, I’d make the number five, but I don’t think anyone else would get on board with that.
EXIT POLL
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