Khalil Rountree earned a lot of respect from fans by self-reporting for a PED earlier this year. Just as ‘War Horse’ was gearing up to face Jamahal Hill on UFC 303, news broke that the California native had accidentally ingested a banned substance. It turned out to be due to a mistake on the part of his supplement supplier, and the Nevada Athletic Commission’s investigations too, backed up Rountree’s version of events. However, the process wasn’t easy for the #8 ranked light heavyweight.

“It really did take time um to get the Athletic Commission to see the same thing that the UFC saw [that I had accidentally ingested a banned substance)…. I think it they finally got to a point where they’re like ‘Oh, okay we see exactly what this is’. In the beginning they didn’t really understand, I think. They thought that like I took a ban substance and just self-reported. But they didn’t see all of the other details that came with it, you know,” Rountree said in a recent interview.

However, the Commission eventually came around and even decided to give Rountree a remarkably light, four-month suspension and a paltry $150 fine. Now, of course, ‘War Horse’ is set to fight Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title on UFC 307 on October 5. And that, of course, is possible because of a very thankful and understanding Commission.

And so I think that one of the things that they did mention in the Commission hearing and decision was that they pretty much like applauded me for self-reporting, like ‘Thank you, like, for coming to us with this, with all the details that you did. So now, you know, there’s no way that we can really give you the base level kind of like nine, six, twelve-month penalty. Because like we see that there’s really nothing that you did wrong here.’… I’m just really grateful like all of this stuff… has worked out the way that it has,” he added.

And now Rountree is gearing up for the biggest fight of his career so far. Against no less than the biggest active superstar in the UFC. A win here can not only make Rountree a UFC champion but also make him a global superstar. But Rountree is unbothered by the implications of the fight and has promised to be his destructive self.

Khalil Rountree promises a striking bonanza against Alex Pereira

Khalil Rountree is going into the Pereira fight with one thing in mind- knock out the champ. In the same interview, Rountree declared he wants to give fans what they want– an all-out battle on the feet. Even if it may prove fatal for the American challenger.

After all, Pereira is arguably the most dangerous striker in the entire promotion. He comes into the UFC not only as a historically great kickboxer but has also stopped elite strikers the likes of Israel Adesanya and Jiri Prochazka on their feet. And with all due respect to Rountree, he may be an excellent striker but he is no Israel Adesanya.

Fortunately, he doesn’t need to be. His power would keep Pereira wary, and Rountree’s solid defense could keep him safe in the pocket, where ‘Poatan’ does his best work. If the American doesn’t fall into one of Pereira’s traps, which have lured more than one fighter into their knockout, Rountree has the striking abilities to give Pereira a hard time. Especially with his southpaw stance, against which the Brazilian champ has been known to struggle. What are your predictions for Pereira-Rountree?