SALT LAKE CITY – Khalil Rountree may have surprised the MMA world with his unexpected title shot. However, despite not being the clear next contender for many, he doesn’t feel like he’s being underestimated by Alex Pereira.
Rountree (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) challenges Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) for the UFC light heavyweight title this Saturday in the main event of UFC 307. He was ranked No. 13 on the UFC official rankings at the time he was given the title shot, jumping over several names many deemed more worthy of the opportunity.
Yet, Rountree feels Pereira is taking him seriously, as he should.
“I’d like to believe that he’s not going to come in overconfident,” Rountree told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 307 media day. “That’s what I’d like to believe. I’d like to believe that he’s coming in his very best. I know that momentum can be a great thing. I that momentum can allow us to have a certain type of confidence, which can be good, but I think the both of us on each side know what we’re up against.”
Pereira is regarded as one of the best strikers in MMA history, and he has a prestigious background in kickboxing. Rountree is confident he can stand with the former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion and assures the fans that his plan is to strike, not grapple.
“I want to set the record straight because there’s been a lot of talk around this takedown and this and that,” Rountree said. “The main thing that I was trying to say, my whole career, everyone has known me for pretty much my striking and my striking style. What I was trying to say is, don’t expect anything different just because it’s a title shot, and I’m going up against Alex, who’s also a striker.
“Don’t expect anything different. Expect me. Expect who you’ve always seen. Now, if something happens, and I get damaged, there’s no choice but to shoot for a takedown, OK, maybe that happens. But my gameplan hasn’t changed. I’m not a wrestler, so don’t expect me diving for legs for five rounds.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.
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