The UFC octagon was in Baku, Azerbaijan for Saturday’s Hill vs. Rountree Jr. fight card. The event was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between former champion Jamahal Hill and No. 7 ranked Khalil Rountree Jr.
Hill entered the fight ranked No. 4 in the division and looking to rebound after back-to-back losses. Rountree Jr. had a five-fight winning streak snapped in his previous outing by then-champion Alex Pereira. Both fighters needed a win but only one would remain a title contender.
Hill took the center of the cage and the two stood right tin front of each other. Rountree Jr. kept his hands high and measured with his jab. Hill landed first with a pair of leg kicks. Rountree Jr. began targeting Hill’s bod while Hill invested in leg kicks. Rountree Jr. connected with a right hand but Hill shook it off. Rountree increased his output and began dictating the pace. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Rountree Jr.
Hill inched forward to start the second. Rountree bounced on the outside and missed with a combination. Rountree delivered a hard leg kick that buckled Hill’s leg. Hill began pressuring Rountree Jr. He doubled up with his jab. The pace slowed through the middle of the frame. They exchanged leg kicks. Rountree Jr. threw a head kick but slipped. Hill tried to seize the moment and keep Rountree Jr. grounded but couldn’t. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Hill.
Rountree Jr. pawed with his jab before connecting with a left hand early in the third. Rountree Jr. looked to counter. Hill landed a right hand. Rountree Jr. responded with a left hook followed by a hard leg kick. Rountree Jr. knocked Hill down with a counter left hand. Hill immediately got back to his feet but took another hard leg kick. Rountree Jr. knocked Hill down a second time in the closing moments of the frame. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Rountree Jr.
Hill started the fourth frame moving forward. Hill looked hesitant after the knockdowns. Rountree Jr. landed a left hand that nearly floored Hill. Rountree Jr. went back to targeting Hill’s body. There was a slowing down of the action. Rountree anded a combination. They exchanged with Rountree Jr. winning it. He connected with a right hand at the end of the round. MMAWeekly scored the stanza 10-9 for Rountree Jr.
Rountree Jr. came out a little more aggressive in the final round. Hill landed his jab and slipped out of the way of the counter. Hill connected with a stiff jab. Rountree Jr. responded with a leg kick. They exchanged leg kicks and Rountree Jr. partially landed a left hand. Hill landed a right hand counter at the bell. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Rountree Jr.
The judges scored the fight for Rountree Jr. via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 49-46, 50-45, and 50-45.
