Who is Khalil Rountree Jr.?

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s journey into mixed martial arts began not with dreams of championship belts, but as a path to self-improvement. Currently ranked at no. 8 in the light-heavyweight division, he got his start in the UFC through ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs Team Claudia’ in 2016. While he managed to make a statement in the first round against Muhammed DeReese via a knockout, he lost his next matchup against Cory Hendricks.

However, fortune smiled when Hendricks withdrew due to injury, giving Khalil a second chance. In the semifinals, he knocked out Josh Stansbury to book his spot in the finale. Making his debut under the bright lights of The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale, Rountree lost to Andrew Sanchez by unanimous decision, marking a difficult start to his UFC career. Despite the setback, Rountree refused to be counted out and has since established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the 205 lbs. division!

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Early Life

Khalil Rountree Jr was born in Los Angeles, California on February 26, 1990. His early life was marked by tragedy as when he was just two years old, Rountree lost his father who was fatally shot. Roderick Rountree, his father, worked as the road manager for the iconic R&B and pop band, ‘Boyz II Men’ and lost his life in May 1992. This devastating event could have easily set a different course for the young ‘Warhorse’, but it was only the beginning of his story.

At the age of 20, Rountree found himself tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds. Like many others, he sought to lose weight and get in shape, but he chose an unconventional route. His decision? He stepped into the world of mixed martial arts, joining the Wand Fight Team gym. Little did he know, this decision would transform his life in more ways than one.

What started as a fitness journey soon became a passion. After just a year of training, Khalil entered the amateur MMA scene. From 2011 to 2013, he remained undefeated, boasting a 6-0 record. His raw talent and determination shone through, and it wasn’t long before he turned professional in 2014 and made his debut in the Resurrection Fighting Alliance promotion.

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Wife

Khalil Rountree Jr. is married to model and author Mia Kang. The couple tied the knot recently in Phuket after having been engaged since 2022. Mia Kang’s story is one of triumph over adversity. Born to British-Swiss parents, she grew up in Hong Kong, where she faced bullying as a child. Bullied for her weight, Kang embarked on a journey of transformation, losing half her body weight by the time she was 13. This caught the attention of modeling scouts and marked the beginning of her career in fashion.

But her path wasn’t just about glamour and photo shoots. While she traveled across Asia and Europe during her youth, she also pursued her education with grit. She didn’t stop at just making a name for herself on the runway. She went on to earn a master’s degree in finance and financial law in England. Kang has also ventured into television hosting and now resides in New York City, expanding her career in the entertainment world.

 Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Net Worth 2024

According to publicly available sources, Khalil Rountree Jr’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 to $1.5 million. It’s important to note that the figures here are an estimation and not an accurate representation.

For his last outing at UFC Fight 233 against Anthony Smith in 2023, Rountree was reported as having secured a base salary of $90,000.

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Career Timeline

March, 2011 ”“ First amateur fight against Travis Jelmyer at Tuff-N-Uff: Future Stars of MMA

June, 2014 ”“ First professional fight against Livingston Lukow at RFA (Resurrection Fighting Alliance) 15

April, 2016 ”“ First fight at TUF 23 against Muhammed Dereese

November, 2016 ”“ First fight on a UFC Fight Night card at UFC Fight Night 101 against Tyson Pedro

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Partnerships and Endorsements

On his social media profile on Instagram, Khalil Rountree Jr has indicated that he is sponsored by ‘Jaxxon’ and ‘Santos Studios. Other than that, he’s also aligned with NOCO and Crypto.com

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Career Stats and Record

According to information available on Tapology, Khalil Rountree has a professional MMA record of 13-5-0.

His UFC record stands at 9 wins and 5 losses with 1 no-contest. Interestingly, he also boasts a remarkable 78% KO/TKO rate and a 22% decision rate.

His RFA record stands at 4 wins and 0 losses with 2 submission and 2 KO/TKO victories in that promotion.

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Major Achievement and Awards

What makes Khalil Rountree stand out? He has earned Performance of the Night honors four times, delivering unforgettable fights against Gökhan Saki, Karl Roberson, Chris Daukaus, and Anthony Smith. Each time he steps into the Octagon, fans know they’re in for a show.

Rountree also holds the distinction of having the third-most knockouts in UFC light heavyweight history, with seven brutal finishes to his name. Not only that, he’s also landed the third-most knockdowns in the division, with 13 knockdowns that have left opponents staring at the lights.

One of his most memorable bouts? The fight against Eryk Anders at UFC 236 in 2019 where he set the record for the most knockdowns in a single fight in the 205 lbs. landing flooring his opponent 4 times!

Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Social Media Accounts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khalilrountree/

X: https://x.com/War_khalil

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khalil.rountree/