Other light heavyweight contenders were not happy about Khalil Rountree Jr. receiving a title fight.
It was announced Friday that Rountree will challenge Alex Pereira for the 205-pound title at UFC 307, which takes place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Oct. 5. Former champions Jan Blachowicz and Jamahal Hill were quick to dispute the announcement.
Blachowicz believes Pereira has “special protection” from the UFC, but the Brazilian doesn’t need it.
“With all due respect to Halil, there are at least two higher-ranked contenders ready to fight Poitan,” Vlachowicz wrote to X. “He doesn’t need any special protection.”
With all due respect to Khalil, there are at least two higher ranking contenders ready to take on Poatan, he doesn’t need any extra protection.
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz)
August 16, 2024
Meanwhile, Hill, who was scheduled to face Rountree at UFC 303 in June, addressed his opponent’s anti-doping suspension. Rountree was removed from the Las Vegas bout after failing a drug test after admitting to taking banned substances in supplement form. “The War Horse” received a two-month suspension from UFC but is still suspended in Las Vegas. Hill was then scheduled to face Carlos Ulberg, but a knee injury caused the former champion to pull out. Either way, Hill argues that having Rountree as a gold medal contender after failing a drug test brings bad publicity to the sport.
“I can’t believe the announcement I just saw!!!” Hill wrote. “A fighter who withdrew from a contender’s fight because he failed a drug test for a banned substance gets paid to fight a title?!! This is horrible for the sport and makes rankings mean absolutely nothing!!!”
I can’t believe the announcement I just saw!!! A fighter who withdrew from a contender’s fight because he failed a drug test for a banned substance is going to get paid for a title fight?!! This is horrible for the sport and makes rankings completely meaningless!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH)
August 16, 2024
Responding to the criticism, Rountree argues that if anyone isn’t excited about taking on “Poitan,” they’re probably the problem.
“It doesn’t affect me,” Rountree said. Kevin Iole said:“I understand [Hill] He’s upset for personal reasons. I don’t care what he thinks or what anyone else thinks… I don’t think it’s bad for the sport. I think it’s great for the sport. The fans will be 100% excited for this fight… I’m grateful to UFC for giving me this opportunity. No matter how negative everyone else is, if they’re not excited about this fight, [with Pereira]maybe you are the one who has the problem. I don’t think it’s the matchmaker’s or the company’s fault. If you have a problem with this, I think it’s your problem.”
Pereira already defeated Blachowicz by split decision at UFC 291 and knocked out Hill in his first title defense at UFC 300 in June of this year. The Brazilian is fresh off his second knockout win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in June of this year. Meanwhile, Rountree is riding a five-fight win streak (including four finishes) and is coming off a knockout win over Anthony Smith in December 2023.
Meanwhile, presumed next champion Magomed Ankalaev isn’t looking for any sympathy. Unbeaten since an upset loss in his UFC debut in 2018, Ankalaev was recently scheduled to face Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26. The Dagestan native is willing to pay the price for a light heavyweight title shot and has encouraged Hill to do the same.
“I received a lot of messages today regarding the light heavyweight title fight,” Ankalaev wrote. “My job is to smash the faces of those who stand in my way. I beat Rakic in Abu Dhabi and I will not be denied it. I do not need anyone to feel sorry for me.”
“Why are you crying, Jamahal Hill? Pereira has just put you to sleep,
[line] And then it’s either I have to work harder and try to get better or I’m ready for Abu Dhabi because Rakic might pull out.”
I got a lot of messages today about the light heavyweight title fight. My job is to smash the faces of those in front of me. I beat Rakic in Abu Dhabi and I won’t be denied. I don’t need anyone to feel sorry for me.
Dana White
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— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
August 16, 2024
Why is Jamahal Gil crying? Pereira just put you to sleep. Go back and get promoted or prepare for Abu Dhabi. Rakic might withdraw.
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
August 16, 2024
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