Khalil Rountree expresses gratitude for positive fan response to UFC 307 performance against Alex Pereira: "I feel like I won the fight"
Khalil Rountree recently opened up about the incredible response he has received from fans following his performance against Alex Pereira at UFC 307 this past Saturday. He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response and noted that the fans in Salt Lake City, Utah were very welcoming throughout the week.
'The War Horse' took the fight to 'Poatan' immediately and didn't shy away from exchanging strikes with the former two-division Glory kickboxing champion. He managed to drop the light heavyweight champion and appeared to have trouble with the momentum he built early on. Despite Pereira regaining control and bloodying the challenger, Rountree showcased his toughness by staying in the fight before the Brazilian finished him in the fourth round.
While speaking to Kevin Iole, the 34-year-old disclosed that he received plenty of positive and encouraging messages after his loss. Rountree mentioned that the warm reception made him feel grateful and noted that it was as if he defeated Pereira:
"I know that I was just very happy...The fans there, they're just amazing people, man. Salt Lake, they really show up, doesn't matter the sport. They were great, so it was awesome. It was everything I could've asked for...I was shocked. I did not know that I had gained so much respect from fans all around the world...I feel like I won the fight, man, like, just based off the response and all the positivity." [1:09 - 2:21]
Check out the full interview with Khalil Rountree below:
Khalil Rountree says damage absorbed at UFC 307 was worth it
Despite being on the receiving end of a knockout loss in his light heavyweight title shot at UFC 307, Khalil Rountree said that it was all worth it and is grateful for what he gained by fighting Alex Pereira.
During the aforementioned interview, Rountree mentioned that he is banged up but gained confidence in knowing that he is capable of competing at a championship level with the top fighters in the division:
"For me to have worked this hard to get to the point of fighting Alex [Pereira] in a main event for a title, everything that came with it is absolutely worth it. I wouldn't change one thing." [409 - 4:21]
Check out Khalil Rountree's post-fight interview at UFC 307 below: