Khalil Rountree Jr.'s journey is an inspiring story of transformation, resilience, and dedication. From battling weight issues and depression to becoming a top contender in the UFC light heavyweight division, Rountree's path is a testament to the power of perseverance and the life-changing impact of martial arts. As he prepares to face Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 307 on October 5, 2024, at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, his story serves as an inspiration to anyone facing personal and physical struggles.
Humble Beginnings and a Turning Point
Khalil Rountree Jr. was born on February 6, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. His early life was marked by tragedy; his father, a member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, was murdered when Khalil was just two years old. While this loss had a profound impact, it wasn't until his 20s that Rountree faced another significant challenge: severe weight gain. At the age of 20, Rountree weighed over 300 pounds and realized he needed to make a change.
Rountree's initial motivation was simply to lose weight. However, after discovering Muay Thai, his passion for martial arts was ignited. He recounted that he wants to make a difference in the world and inspire people through his own journey from “a 300-pound kid on the brink of suicide” to his current status as one of the best light heavyweight fighters in the world.
In just over two years of training, he made his amateur MMA debut, marking the beginning of his fighting career. He was starting entirely from scratch, overweight and without a combat sports background.
The Darkest Days
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour this week, Rountree expanded on that journey, recounting where he was emotionally before finding MMA.
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“I’d say at the height of my depression and downward spiral, I was 19,” Roundtree said. “… About 19 is when everything started to hit me. People were going to college, some people were getting jobs, and I was living in a one-bedroom apartment with my mom, my brother, my niece, my sister, struggling to make $750 rent every month. I had no idea what I wanted to be in life, or what I wanted to do, or what I could even do, because at the time, 19 years old, 305 pounds, two packs of cigarettes a day, soda only, if someone had pills I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll take some,’ not even knowing what they are, really just lost with no hope and I didn’t even care. ‘I don’t care if I wake up today. I’m gonna drink myself and hope that I don’t wake up tomorrow.’ Those type of thoughts.“
“Until one day my brother was watching MMA, I saw a little bit about what that was and kind of attached to this aggression and anger that it seemed like these guys had, especially after seeing ‘Rampage’ [Quinton Jackson] rip down a door on The Ultimate Fighter, I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s what I want to do.’ …. It was a a mixture of being exposed to MMA and a feeling of just wanting to explode or give up. That was at 19 and that’s when I decided I’m gonna start.”
Discovering Muay Thai and a New Path
After looking up local gyms in the Las Vegas area, Rountree said that he and his brother decided to try the Wand Fight Team gym because they wanted to learn to fight like Wanderlei Silva. Showing up to his first class at the gym ended up being a life-altering experience for Rountree.
“The first class was a Muay Thai class that was led by an instructor named Michael Costa, and he is one of the hardest trainers that I have ever known in my life, but the cool thing about it is he definitely taught from the heart and he cared about every single last one of his students,” Rountree said. “So I went and I made sure that I gave my best efforts and just listened to what he was saying because I knew that I wanted to learn how to fight like Wanderlei Silva. I remember after the class I was completely gassed out and he came up to me and said, ‘Hey, have you done this before?’ and I said, ‘No, never. This is my first time.’“
“And he was like, ‘I think you have a natural ability, natural talent. You should come again. Our next class is tomorrow at 11 o’clock. Come back. I want to see you in my class.’ That was the first time that I felt that I had this open door acceptance from a kind person who actually wanted to teach me how to fight. I think what kept me going there was this guy really wanted teach me how to fight and to help me be a better person. I remember that was the day that I got home and I threw out my packs of cigarettes and was like, ‘I can’t smoke if I’m gonna be doing this. It’s just so much on my lungs and I can’t breathe.’ That was just the start of it. Everything else, I started to add a little bit more every day.”
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That day-by-day approach helped Rountree to continue to better his life.
The UFC Journey: Trials and Triumphs
Rountree’s professional MMA career began in 2014, and after several victories on the regional circuit, he earned a spot on "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia" in 2016. Despite a loss in the TUF 23 Finale to Andrew Sanchez, Rountree’s raw power and striking ability were evident.
Over the years, Rountree's UFC journey has been defined by moments of brilliance and tough setbacks. His devastating knockout power has always been his most dangerous weapon. Notable wins include his knockout of Gökhan Saki in 2018 and his impressive TKO victory over Karl Roberson in 2022. This past weekend, Khalil Rountree Jr. picked up his sixth win in the UFC, stopping Karl Roberson with a vicious body kick in the second round at UFC Vegas 50. These performances have showcased his evolution as a fighter, particularly his refined Muay Thai skills and his mental resilience.
However, Rountree has also faced adversity. Losses to fighters like Johnny Walker and Ion Cuțelaba exposed weaknesses in his grappling and ground game, but each defeat has fueled his determination to improve.
The Weight Loss Transformation
Rountree said that after a few months of training, his confidence grew and he decided he wanted to have an actual fight, which his coaches said meant he would need to lose 100 pounds. He did so in less than a year.
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“I lost 100 pounds in 11 months,” Rountree said. “From the first time that I did that Muay Thai class, every day I would get rid of something that I knew wasn’t good for me. First day it was cigarettes, next day it was soda, then it was, ‘Okay, I’m not eating fast food anymore. I’m going to just eat vegetables and eggs and protein.’ Then I started feeling better from just eliminating those things and then I started jogging a little bit. So I think the confidence started to come after about three months. Three months of just going to training and telling myself, ‘Today, I’m not gonna smoke.’ That was the thing. Those vices were obviously wanting to creep back in but I had to take it day by day and say, ‘You know what, today I’m not gonna do it.’ …“
“Taking everything day by day until about three months down the line I saw my face slimming up a bit and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and people were starting to go ‘Are you working out a bit?’ I started to get a little bit of acknowledgement for losing weight and that just took it through the roof. Then I told my coach I want to fight and he was like, ‘Okay, you have to lose 100 pounds,’ and I was like, ‘Ugh, how do I do that?’ I just elevated everything that I was doing. I started running more. I actually turned off my cell phone … and I just dedicated my life to losing the weight and to working out and to really just trying to create this better version of myself.”
The changes have certainly worked out for him. Rountree earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his stoppage of Roberson this past weekend and is now on a two-fight winning streak in the light heavyweight division.
Recent Successes and Momentum
Rountree’s career trajectory shifted drastically in 2021 when he started a five-fight win streak, including four electrifying knockouts. His victories over top contenders like Dustin Jacoby and Anthony Smith have propelled him to the top of the light heavyweight division, where he now boasts a record of 14-5, 1 NC, including 10 knockouts.
UFC 307: A Defining Moment
At UFC 307, Rountree faces his most daunting challenge yet: Alex Pereira. The reigning Light Heavyweight Champion, Pereira, is a striking phenom and former UFC Middleweight Champion, known for his knockout power and precise kickboxing. Rountree will enter the fight as the underdog, but he’s no stranger to adversity.
For Rountree, this fight represents the culmination of years of sacrifice and dedication. A win would not only earn him UFC gold but would also cement his legacy as one of the most inspiring comeback stories in MMA history. It’s the chance to validate his journey from an out-of-shape, unmotivated young man to a world-class athlete competing for the most coveted prize in mixed martial arts.
Rountree’s striking will be tested against Pereira’s world-class kickboxing, but his power and aggression could prove to be the deciding factor. If he can close the distance and make it a brawl, he might have the upper hand. Rountree has also shown improved defensive skills in recent fights, making him a more complete fighter than ever before.
What's at Stake
UFC 307 is more than just a title fight for Khalil Rountree Jr.; it's a chance to inspire others and prove that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
The Road Ahead: Champion or Challenger?
If Rountree can pull off the upset and defeat Pereira, it will be one of the biggest triumphs in UFC history. He will ascend to the pinnacle of the sport and become a role model for those who face personal and physical struggles. UFC 307 could be the defining moment of his career, marking his transformation from underdog to champion.
However, a loss could mean going back to the drawing board. Still, Rountree’s resilience and ability to bounce back from defeat suggest that, win or lose, he will continue to be a force in the UFC Light Heavyweight division.