History of Khalil Rountree Jr. in Timeline
"Khalil Ibn Rountree Jr. is an American professional mixed martial artist associated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), competing in the Light Heavyweight division. As of December 12, 2023, he holds the #8 position in the UFC light heavyweight rankings."
February 26, 1990: Birth
Khalil Rountree Jr. was born on February 26, 1990.
2011: Amateur MMA Debut
Khalil Rountree Jr. began his amateur MMA career in 2011 after one year of training.
June 6, 2014: Professional Debut at RFA 15
Khalil Rountree Jr. made his professional debut in MMA against Livingston Lukow at RFA 15, winning by unanimous decision on June 6, 2014.
December 5, 2014: First-Round Knockout Victory at RFA 21
Khalil Rountree Jr. secured a first-round knockout victory against Blake Troop at RFA 21 on December 5, 2014.
April 10, 2015: Middleweight Debut and Victory at RFA 25
On April 10, 2015, Khalil Rountree Jr. made his middleweight debut at RFA 25, defeating Cameron Olson by unanimous decision.
December 11, 2015: First-Round Knockout Victory at RFA 33
Khalil Rountree Jr. won his fight against Justin Polendey by first-round knockout at RFA 33 on December 11, 2015.
April 2016: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia
Khalil Rountree Jr. competed on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia in April 2016, winning his first fight by knockout and losing the next by submission.
July 8, 2016: UFC Debut and Loss at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale
Khalil Rountree Jr. made his UFC debut on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale against Andrew Sanchez, losing by unanimous decision.
November 27, 2016: Loss by Submission at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson
Khalil Rountree Jr. faced Tyson Pedro at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson on November 27, 2016, and lost the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
February 4, 2017: Knockout Victory at UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie
Khalil Rountree Jr. won his fight against Daniel Jolly via knockout in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie on February 4, 2017.
July 16, 2017: First-Round Knockout Victory at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio
Khalil Rountree Jr. defeated Paul Craig via knockout in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio on July 16, 2017.
December 30, 2017: No Contest at UFC 219
Khalil Rountree Jr.'s fight against Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC 219 on December 30, 2017, initially a loss, was overturned to a no contest due to Oleksiejczuk's positive drug test.
July 7, 2018: Performance of the Night at UFC 226
Khalil Rountree Jr. won his fight against Gökhan Saki at UFC 226 on July 7, 2018, via knockout in the first round, earning Performance of the Night.
November 17, 2018: Loss by Knockout at UFC Fight Night 140
Khalil Rountree Jr. lost his fight against Johnny Walker by knockout in the first round at UFC Fight Night 140 on November 17, 2018.
April 13, 2019: Unanimous Decision Victory at UFC 236
Khalil Rountree Jr. won his fight against Eryk Anders at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019, via unanimous decision.
September 28, 2019: TKO Loss at UFC Fight Night 160
Khalil Rountree Jr. lost his fight against Ion Cuțelaba via TKO in the first round at UFC Fight Night 160 on September 28, 2019.
March 28, 2020: UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik Postponement
Khalil Rountree Jr.'s scheduled fight against Sam Alvey at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik on March 28, 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2020: UFC Contract Extension
Khalil Rountree Jr. signed a contract extension with the UFC in October 2020.
January 24, 2021: Loss by Unanimous Decision at UFC 257
Khalil Rountree Jr. lost his fight against Marcin Prachnio via unanimous decision at UFC 257 on January 24, 2021.
September 4, 2021: TKO Victory via Oblique Kick at UFC Fight Night 191
Khalil Rountree Jr. defeated Modestas Bukauskas via TKO in the second round at UFC Fight Night 191 on September 4, 2021, using an oblique kick, the first time the technique resulted in a finish in the UFC.
March 12, 2022: Performance of the Night at UFC Fight Night 203
Khalil Rountree Jr. won his fight against Karl Roberson via TKO in round two at UFC Fight Night 203 on March 12, 2022, earning Performance of the Night.
October 29, 2022: Controversial Split Decision Victory at UFC Fight Night 213
Khalil Rountree Jr. won a controversial split decision against Dustin Jacoby at UFC Fight Night 213 on October 29, 2022.
June 2, 2023: Chris Daukaus Injury
Chris Daukaus withdrew from his scheduled bout against Khalil Rountree Jr. on June 2, 2023, due to an injury.
June 10, 2023: Fight Postponement at UFC 289
Khalil Rountree Jr.'s scheduled fight against Chris Daukaus at UFC 289 on June 10, 2023, was postponed due to Daukaus' injury.
August 12, 2023: Performance of the Night at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos
Khalil Rountree Jr. defeated Chris Daukaus via technical knockout in round one at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos on August 12, 2023, earning the Performance of the Night award.
December 2, 2023: Opponent Change for UFC on ESPN 52
Azamat Murzakanov was removed from his fight against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC on ESPN 52 on December 2, 2023, due to pneumonia.
December 12, 2023: UFC Ranking
As of December 12, 2023, Khalil Rountree Jr. is #8 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.
June 29, 2024: Withdrawal from UFC 303
Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew from his fight against Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 on June 29, 2024, due to a banned substance violation.
July 4, 2024: Suspension by CSAD
Khalil Rountree Jr.'s suspension by CSAD ended on July 4, 2024. He was suspended for taking banned substances.
October 5, 2024: UFC Light Heavyweight Championship Bout at UFC 307
Khalil Rountree Jr. is scheduled to fight Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024.