UFC analyst dismisses Khalil Rountree Jr. as an "elite, world championship-level fighter" ahead of Jamahal Hill fight

A UFC analyst has downplayed Khalil Rountree Jr.'s abilities inside the octagon while offering his thoughts on the upcoming Jamahal Hill fight at UFC Baku. He believes Rountree Jr. won't be able to handle Hill, predicting the former champion to prevail over the 35-year-old.

Rountree Jr. is set to return in a light heavyweight bout against Hill at UFC Baku, which will be held this weekend at Crystal Palace Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Ahead of their matchup, UFC analyst Din Thomas spoke to Mike Bohn and claimed that Rountree Jr.'s last octagon performance at UFC 307 against the then champion Alex Pereira was a fluke.

''I'm leaning towards Jamahal Hill to knock out Khalil Rountree Jr. The reason being, Khalil Rountree looked fantastic against Alex Pereira, but that was his moment, and sometimes fighters just have that moment and then they go back to what they really are. And I'm not saying Khalil Rountree is not a great fighter. He's a very dangerous fighter, but I think he rose to the occasion with Alex Pereira''

Thomas then backed Hill to win, citing that 'Sweet Dreams' had more weapons in his arsenal:

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''Me personally, I don't necessarily assume that's his new standard. I think he rose to the occasion, but I still think he's a good and dangerous fighter, but not an elite, world championship-level fighter. I think Jamahal Hill as that ability in him. He's a little bit longer. He's got instinctive boxing skills. I think he's going to be able to touch up Khalil Rountree as long as he can avoid the leg kicks."

Check out Din Thomas' comments below (14:55):

After an impressive five fight win streak, 'The War Horse' received the opportunity to challenge Pereira for the 205 pound belt. He surprised everyone and put up a tough fight, but suffered a devastating fourth round knockout loss.

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Jamahal Hill previews the Khalil Rountree Jr. fight at UFC Baku

Jamahal Hill will look to get back on winning ways with a potential win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC Baku. In a recent fight preview posted by ESPN MMA, the former champion opened up about his mentality and promised to put on a dominanting display, saying:

''I believe 100 % I need to come out and make a statement against Khalil Rountree [Jr.]. I need to show that I'm still that high level and dominant fighter that I've been...I have the ability to win a fight in multiple ways, and he has really just one way to win. He has a puncher's chance, and I believe I'm the magician here. I got all the tricks.''

Check out Jamahal Hill's comments below:

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Edited by Swagat Kumar Jena