If there’s one person who’s tough as nails in the UFC, it’s Khalil Rountree Jr. The man went toe-to-toe, yet again, with one of the most feared strikers in the division. His resolve was firm — he came there to win. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, as Jiri Prochazka found a third-round TKO finish. Now, ‘The War Horse’ has broken his silence following the heartbreaking loss. Good for UFC fans, it doesn’t look like he’s backing down from the loss, as he expressed in his latest post.
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When you take a look at the fight itself, it was quite the roller coaster. Rountree Jr. dominated the early exchanges with accurate striking, delivering clean shots while keeping Jiri Prochazka on the defense. But as the final round arrived, Prochazka’s unpredictable technique reversed the tide, resulting in a stunning knockout that left Rountree Jr. face down on the Octagon mat.
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“You will all see me in there again “ — Khalil Rountree Jr. vows to return stronger
Despite the loss, his earlier performance (against Jamahal Hill at UFC Baku) showed the skill and heart that earned him the top rank in the light heavyweight division. And that is why when Rountree Jr. broke his silence, his words on Instagram carried weight. Thanking his fans for the messages of support, he wrote, “Close. So Close. I’m ok; I’m in good spirits. I’m grateful for every positive message and every comment expressing support for what I give to this sport.”
For ‘The War Horse,’ the finish was more than just a loss but also a learning moment that will fuel his comeback. In fact, he made it clear that he is already thinking ahead. “To say I’ll be back is an understatement. Never stop living! Never stop fighting the good fight! Losses hurt, not only me. Coaches, family, friends & supporters, you guys are incredible! I’m here for a while; you will all see me in there again next year,” Rountree said.
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His words reinforced the mindset of a fighter who refuses to allow a single setback to ruin his long-term goals. Khalil Rountree Jr. acknowledged the pain and hardship of defeat while emphasizing the value of reflection and growth. As per his words, the lessons he learned in the cage would shape the next chapter.
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For fans, the statement was more than a reassurance; it was a promise. Khalil Rountree Jr. may have been knocked down, but he still has a fighting attitude and plan. ‘The War Horse’ has already set the tone for a decisive return in 2026; only time will tell who it will be against. As for Jiri Prochazka, he already has his sights set on the title.
Jiri Prochazka overtakes ‘The War Horse’ to earn a title shot
Jiri Prochazka’s third-round knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. not only secured another emphatic win but also cemented his position as the next serious contender in the light heavyweight division. While Rountree Jr. tries to recover from his defeat, Prochazka has stated clearly that he wants to fight the winner of the UFC 320 main event.
The contrast between their paths is striking: one striving to rebound, the other ready to strike at the top. Speaking with Joe Rogan after the fight, Denisa stressed that his performance showed his readiness for the biggest stage. “I already beat the former light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill. Right now, Khalil. Believe me or not, my opponent makes my performance. And I believe if it will be one of these two headlining tonight, my performance will be the best.”
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His confidence has been reinforced by back-to-back TKO victories, and now he is ready to face the main event winner, Alex Pereira. In fact, while cageside at Alex Pereira’s title-winning moment, Prochazka’s stoic exterior gave way to quiet emotion as ‘Poatan’ defeated Ankalaev via TKO.
The acceptance of the victory, along with his own impressive run, signals that Prochazka has passed Khalil Rountree Jr. in the race for a title shot. With UFC 320 behind him, ‘The Czech Samurai’ has definitely established himself as the next challenger, ready to go one-on-one to find a win in his trilogy fight against the light heavyweight champion.
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