Khalil Rountree Jr. could have misplaced to Alex Pereira at UFC 307, however he didn’t really feel too unhealthy about it.
Again in October, Rountree practically pulled off an unimaginable upset, giving mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira all he might deal with earlier than finally getting completed within the fourth spherical of their title battle. The battle was the actualization of his dream, so regardless of the loss, “The Conflict Horse” says he was fairly completely happy even within the second of his defeat.
“It was a bit surreal to be standing in entrance of him in moments, within the face-off and stuff,” Rountree instructed Fight Energy Films. “However I requested for that battle from the start. I all the time knew that I wished to battle him, so once I was there, it was simply extra of a factor … that is what I’ve wished, that is what I’ve all the time imagined. …
“The one factor I can actually keep in mind is simply being completely happy. Even the second once I bought completed within the fourth spherical, I simply felt so completely happy all through that entire battle. It felt like I used to be the place I belonged. I felt like I belonged there. So it was actually like residing in a dream and there was nothing however happiness and pleasure in these moments.”
Rountree was not the one one completely happy; his admirable efficiency earned reward from UFC CEO Dana White and from followers. So although he didn’t declare the sunshine heavyweight title, it was nonetheless a star-making efficiency for Rountree, who says that over the previous few months, the response from followers has led to a distinction of feelings for him.
“Very massive distinction,” Rountree stated. “The time between now and that battle, there’s been an enormous distinction of feelings. Nevertheless it’s been extra good than unhealthy. I believe the reflection level, I’m targeted on getting higher now, as a result of I wish to proceed to win. I wish to proceed to placed on thrilling fights, however I wish to proceed on the trail of changing into a champion. That’s nonetheless one thing I wish to be and I’m going to work in direction of being.
“Nevertheless it’s additionally good that though I’m not a champion, I’ve bought this stage of respect and recognition {that a} champion would have. So it’s a bizarre place to be in, nevertheless it’s good. I’ve nonetheless bought some work to do.”
And now having had a number of months to mirror, Rountree is aware of precisely what work he must do. As a result of, having come so near the mountaintop, Rountree now has renewed confidence that he can grow to be a world champion. He simply must preserve working.
“I’d say particularly within the battle in opposition to Alex, I knew that he was a harmful fighter, and so there was a wholesome stage of warning in that battle,” Rountree stated. “I believe that shifting ahead, I believe it will likely be good to have warning however I see myself actually having the ability to let free shifting ahead. I don’t wish to — I gave all of it. I actually did. I went all the best way to the top, however I nonetheless assume there may be extra of me to provide. I believe that, so far as my talent and intelligence goes, there’s some room there. …
“I didn’t know till now that I wanted to actually be taught extra. Clearly, it doesn’t matter what, we’ve bought to proceed to develop, we’ve bought to proceed to be taught; however I believe this battle actually put it into perspective. It actually helped me to see the hole of the place I wish to be versus the place I’m. it simply form of woke me up.”
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