Khalil Rountree
Active 2016–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 85.0
Scouting report
Leg kicks, oblique kicks, and southpaw combinations transformed Khalil "The War Horse" Rountree Jr. into a championship challenger. Born in Los Angeles, California and training at Syndicate MMA, Rountree compiled five straight stoppage-heavy victories before pushing Alex Pereira in a title fight, his striking highlighted by a 92 Kickboxing, 90 Strength, and 85 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Rountree rebounded from early career setbacks to find his peak form between 2020 and 2021, scoring a second-round TKO of Modestas Bukauskas with a leg kick at UFC Fight Night 191 in Las Vegas. His Muay Thai leg kicks, southpaw power, and clinch work are reflected in an 86 Boxing and 88 Kickboxing.
Rountree compiled a five-fight knockout streak between 2022 and 2024, finishing Karl Roberson, knocking out Chris Daukaus in round one, and stopping former title challenger Anthony Smith in round three in Las Vegas, earning a world title challenge against Alex Pereira at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. His technical striking power and durability anchor his 89 Boxing and 92 Kickboxing.
Khalil Rountree, the Los Angeles kickboxer who found his form late
Khalil Rountree Jr. was born in Los Angeles and started his amateur career in 2011 after one year of MMA training. He turned professional in 2014 with Resurrection Fighting Alliance, and reached The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Claudia in 2016, where he knocked out Muhammed DeReese and Josh Stansbury and lost the final to Andrew Sanchez by decision. He trained in Thailand before his 2019 fight with Eryk Anders, a decision win.
Rountree's ratings, one by one
Boxing. Strong at 89. He knocked out Daniel Jolly, Paul Craig and Gokhan Saki in the first round.
Kickboxing. His best at 92. In 2021 he finished Modestas Bukauskas with an oblique kick, the first time that technique ended a fight in the promotion.
Wrestling. Fair at 74. His wins come mostly from striking.
BJJ. His lowest at 70. Cory Hendricks on the show and Tyson Pedro in 2016 both submitted him.
Strength. Strong at 90. He knocked out several opponents in the first round, including Saki in 2018.
Durability. Good at 86. Alex Pereira stopped him in round four in the 2024 title fight, and Jiri Prochazka knocked him out in round three in 2025.
Cardio. Good at 84. He beat Jamahal Hill by unanimous decision over five rounds in 2025.
Fight IQ. Decent at 83. He finished Anthony Smith by TKO in round three in December 2023.
Kickboxing is the top rating: 92
Kickboxing at 92 is the highest number on his card, and it comes with the record to back it. Along with the oblique kick that finished Modestas Bukauskas in 2021, he knocked out Gokhan Saki in 2018, stopped Karl Roberson in round two, and earned a Fight of the Night bonus for his October 2024 title fight against Alex Pereira. If a fight is going to end with a strike, he is one of the best bets.
Grapplers can beat him: BJJ
BJJ at 70 is the lowest. He was submitted by Cory Hendricks on the show and by Tyson Pedro in his first year in the promotion, and although he has improved, he remains best when he stays standing. A grappler who takes him down early is the clearest way to blunt his striking.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Khalil Rountree, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Carlos Ulbergbest boxing 91 · weakest bjj 72
- Thiago Santosbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 76
- Jamahal Hillbest boxing 92 · weakest bjj 74
- Dominick Reyesbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 74
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Khalil Rountree's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Khalil Rountree into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Khalil Rountree is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Khalil Rountree's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.