The UFC is set to deliver an electrifying Fight Night event in Baku, with Khalil Rountree headlining the card. In the main event, Rountree will take on former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill. Just days ahead of the bout, ‘The War Horse’ has opened up about the heartbreaking truth behind his father’s death, revealing that, for years, he believed it was due to diabetes.
When Rountree was just two years old, he lost his father in a fatal robbery while he was working as a tour manager. Unaware of the true circumstances, Rountree grew up believing his father had passed away due to diabetes. Following the loss of his father, Rountree eventually found his path in MMA, beginning his amateur career in 2011.
In an interview with ESPN MMA, the American fighter revealed that until the age of 11, he was told his father’s cause of death was diabetes, only to later learn the painful truth—that he had been murdered. Reflecting on the moment in the video, Rountree said:
“When my dad died, I was 2 years old. Up until 11, I thought that he passed away from being diabetic. When my mom told me the real story, I started to become afraid of the world. I was really angry that someone would take my father’s life.”
The American fighter was filled with anger upon learning the truth about his father’s death. He also highlighted how deeply it affected him, especially because it happened at a time when he felt he needed a father figure in his life the most.
Khalil Rountree vs. Jamahal Hill Fight Preview
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Jamahal Hill pulled out of his scheduled April 26 bout against Rountree due to a leg injury, forcing the UFC to cancel the fight. The promotion has now rescheduled the matchup for this Saturday, June 21.
Rountree previously missed his shot at the title and suffered a TKO loss to Alex Pereira. Hill, on the other hand, is also coming off back-to-back defeats—first to Pereira and then to Jiri Prochazka. With both fighters looking to bounce back, only one will walk away with redemption.
Rountree delivered a stronger performance against Pereira, visibly damaging ‘Poatan,’ while Hill suffered brutal knockouts in his last two fights without landing any significant damage on his opponents. With both men eager to return to winning form, this matchup promises fireworks and is a must-watch for fans.
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