Khalil Rountree says wrestling UFC champ Alex Pereira not in plans: 'I have never shot one takedown'

Khalil Rountree plans on standing toe-to-toe with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Rountree (13-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) challenges light heavyweight champion Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in the UFC 307 main event in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5. Nobody’s had an answer for Pereira on the feet at 205 pounds, but Rountree won’t shy away from the challenge.

“So check this out: In my career, I have never shot one takedown,” Rountree told The Schmo. “That’s not in my plans, right? I’m here to put on an amazing fight for the fans. This one, regardless of what anybody says, this is a fight for the fans.

“I think with my style, with his style, this fight is not going to disappoint. So, I’m there to do what I do, to do what my fans and everybody knows that I’m capable of, and all I can say is expect a banger, man.”

Many observers have been critical of Rountree getting a title shot, but the streaking 34-year-old has brushed off all the complaints. Rountree thinks his high finish rate makes him must-see TV.

“It doesn’t matter,” Rountree said. “The fight’s happening regardless of whatever they think or not. The fight’s happening, and it’s going to be a good one, and that’s all I can say, man. … Any time any UFC fan watches me fight, they can expect the same thing.

“I come out there, I put on the performances that I put on, it’s always exciting, it’s always violent, so they can expect that and even more. And at the end, the belt around my waist secures it all. I’m f*cking happy, man.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.