Khalil Rountree Jr. put up a fierce fight against Alex Pereira at UFC 307, but he emerged from the octagon visibly marked by the intense battle. By the final bell, Rountree’s nose was bruised, and his eye was swollen shut with a gash above the lid— the man was converted into a walking Benadryl advertisement.

Now on the road to recovery, the light heavyweight contender is taking some well-deserved downtime in Marbella, Spain. Amid the scenic photos from his trip, he shared a glimpse of his battle scars, captioning the post with “No Pasa Nada,” Spanish for “it’s no big deal.” This mindset shows Rountree’s ability to take the loss in stride, embracing the journey and looking ahead to what’s next for ‘The War Horse’ in his career.

The American fighter went toe-to-toe with the Brazilian who later revealed just how tough Rountree Jr. was as an opponent. In an interview with Podpah, Pereira admitted, “In that 4th round, I was throwing jabs, and it was hurting my hand, man. I swear. I thought, ‘My hand must be broken.’ It still hurts today.”

Despite the physical toll, ‘The War Horse’ remained positive and gracious in the aftermath. Taking to Instagram, Rountree posted a heartfelt message to Pereira, writing, “I didn’t win the title, but I grew last night. @alexpoatanpereira, thank you for helping me see that I’m ready to take on the world. You showed amazing skill and brought out a version of me I needed to experience. You’re the champ for a reason—much respect. But now I know what I’m capable of.” He also thanked fans in Salt Lake City and supporters around the world for their encouragement.

Rountree’s display of sportsmanship didn’t go unnoticed, with Dana White praising his resilience and spirit. Still, the Los Angeles native is already reflecting on the fight, examining what he believes to be the biggest factor behind the loss.

Khalil Rountree Jr. disclosed the reason why he lost to Alex Pereira

The 34-year-old Rountree Jr. stepped into the octagon riding a five-fight winning streak, but the tide shifted in the third and fourth rounds as Pereira took control. Some fans speculated that the altitude might have hindered Rountree’s recovery, but he explained the real reason in an interview with Michael Bisping. “Yeah, I got tired, but I can’t say it was due to cardio or the altitude,” he shared. “We spent a lot of time acclimating. Before fight week, I did a six-mile run at 7,000 feet. So I was prepared for the altitude. But what people don’t realize is how much energy it takes when you start absorbing punches.”

The barrage of heavy punches eventually drained Rountree’s stamina, leading him to the end of his streak. After the fight, he even needed nasal surgery to repair his damaged nose. Despite this, Rountree holds no grudges against the Brazilian champion and is currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation. Once recovered, he’s eager to return to the octagon.

Even with the brutal injuries, this fight has already carved its place as one of the most unforgettable clashes in UFC history. What did you think of this bout and Rountree’s toughness? Share your thoughts in the comments below!