Khalil Rountree admits he’d consider firing his coach if told to shoot a takedown on Alex Pereira: “There would be a serious discussion"
Khalil Rountree will take on Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 307 in October in what could be one of the striking spectacles of 2024. Rountree is a Muay Thai specialist, and has made it clear that he intends on striking with Pereira, and will not be shooting any takedowns.
Given the Brazilian's kickboxing background, some fans and pundits have suggested that a grappling-heavy gameplan would be the best approach to beating 'Poatan'.
Having displayed his grappling skillset on several occasions during his UFC career, it's evident that the grappling realm of MMA is Pereira's weakest link.
The title challenger boasted that he has never shot a takedown in his career, and doesn't plan on doing so at UFC 307. Given his comments, he was asked by Michael Bisping during a recent interview what his reaction would be if Rountree's coach instructed him to shoot a takedown on Pereira.
He said:
"If they were my coach, I'd say maybe I need to look for another coach. Yeah, I mean it doesn't make sense. I'm not a wrestler. Yes, I'm a mixed martial artist. I'm able to do a lot of different things. My grappling's good, my wrestling's decent. But that's just not me. That's not my instinct. Why would I put myself in harm's way?"
He added:
"Not that I would immediately say like you're fired but like I wouldn't just say okay. I think there would be a serious discussion around that topic."
Watch Khalil Rountree's interview below (13:20):
Chael Sonnen predicts Khalil Rountree will "walk through" Alex Pereira
UFC 307 will feature arguably the two most devastating strikers at light heavyweight, as Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree go to war in the main event.
The title challenger is riding a five-fight winning streak, with four of those wins coming via TKO. The champion holds a similar record, and is on a four-fight winning streak with three wins coming via TKO.
Former UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen, recently predicted the clash during an episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast on ESPN MMA. He said:
"Khalil Rountree is going to walk through Pereira. This is the worst matchup I could think of... He is a counterfighter, and he loves when you punch or kick at him first... All those scary punches and kicks that Pereira does, that's where Rountree does his finest work."
Watch Sonnen predict Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree below (10:05):