When it comes to the UFC Baku main event between light heavyweight rivals Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr., there may be no one more qualified to make a fight night prediction than former 205-pound champion, Alex Pereira.
“Poatan” finished “Sweet Dreams” at UFC 300 before stopping “War Horse” at UFC 307.
“They’re both great fighters and well-rounded,” Pereira told UFC. “I fought them both so I can say something more accurate. They’re both dangerous, but I think [judging] by my fight against Khalil, I see him having some advantage against Jamahal. That’s my opinion.”
That’s also the opinion of sportbooks, placing “War Horse” as the slight betting favorite.
“I saw how far I was willing to go [against Pereira], I went as far as I possibly could and in my mind, I enjoyed the whole thing,” Rountree Jr. told Ariel Helwani. “I enjoyed it all the way through and it was just something that I remember. I gave my absolute all in that fight, so I got to experience what that feels like.”
“I think it helped me just grow and not necessarily be afraid of the fire,” Rountree continued. “I’ve been through the fire and although I didn’t make it out victorious, I’ve been there and I felt it. And so, I think it toughened me up.”
The action gets underway this Sat. (June 21, 2025) at Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan.
