UFC title contender Khalil Rountree Jr. is inspired by Muhammad Ali

Khalil Rountree Jr. hopes to continue a long legacy of Black UFC light heavyweight champions that includes Quinton Jackson, better known as Rampage; Daniel Cormier; and current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, when he challenges UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC 307 on October  in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The AmNews spoke exclusively with Rountree  on Sunday at Fanatics Fest NYC, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, to discuss how he gained interest in MMA, the people he admired, his desire to pursue high aspirations, and why he believes he will become the champion in October. 

“My biggest inspiration when it comes to fighting is Muhammad Ali, not only because of his skills, but because of who he was as a person and to the world,” Rountree said of the icon who was known as “The greatest.”  “Not only Muhammad Ali, but Anderson Silva,” he added, referring to the now-retired former UFC champion who holds the record for the longest championship reign in UFC history at 2,457 days.

“Anderson Silva is the true definition of a martial artist,” Rountree said. “These are two men that I can identify with based on race, so I see these guys as inspirational. Anything that I do with my career, I try to follow in their footsteps so that I can be a positive image to people who look like me and young boys who grow up and maybe they’re looking for some type of leadership or some type of inspiration.”

Rountree’s father was a tour manager for the four-time Grammy Award-winning group Boyz II Men, and was shot and killed in an attempted robbery when the UFC competitor was only two years old. Rountree aims to be a positive influence for his nieces, nephews, and countless other youth whom he might affect directly or indirectly.

Rountree was introduced to mixed martial arts by his older brother, Donavon Frelow, a retired MMA competitor. 

About becoming the new champion in October, Rountree said, “(I’m going to put on) an outstanding performance, an impressive performance, a memorable performance,” he said. “From my end, a memorable, exciting, incredible performance…”
On September 14, Brooklyn’s Edgar Berlanga will face the biggest challenge of his career when he meets up with Canelo Alvarez for his undisputed super middleweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. On the same day, UFC Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili at the Sphere in Las Vegas.