Rountree’s Opponent Defends Nasty Leg Kick: ‘My Job To Defend’

While some call Khalil Rountree a dirty fighter for executing a fight-ending oblique kick, opponent Modestas Bukauskas says it’s all good.

Modestas Bukauskas says the only person to blame for Khalil Rountree Jr.’s fight-ending oblique kick is Bukauskas.

Rountree secured a second-round technical knockout (TKO) victory via leg injury after landing an excruciating oblique kick (watch highlights) at UFC Vegas 36, which took place inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sat., Sept. 4 via ESPN+. The kick immediately buckled Bukauskas’ leg and his audible yell had referee Herb Dean instantly wave off the fight. A fierce debate sparked online in the fight’s aftermath, with some calling Rountree’s legal kick “dirty.” Bukauskas, however, is standing up for his opponent.

“Getting [an] MRI when I get home. Probably ligament damage,” Bukauskas wrote Sunday on social media. “And yo, please give my opponent some slack, that kick was all good, it was my job to defend and I didn’t. Let the man enjoy his victory.”

UFC Vegas 36 was headlined by ranked middleweights Derrick Brunson (No. 5) and Darren Till (No. 7). Brunson leaned on his grappling skills and secured a third-round rear-naked choke submission (watch highlights) to secure the victory.

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