UFC Fight Night 233 winner Khalil Rountree focuses on Alex Pereira as top-10 ranking looms

LAS VEGAS – Khalil Rountree can’t think of a more exciting light heavyweight matchup than him vs. Alex Pereira, especially after victory Saturday at UFC Fight Night 233.

In the co-main event at the UFC Apex, Rountree (12-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) dispatched former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith (37-19 MMA, 12-9 UFC) with a big third-round knockout.

“High, high levels of joy, which is really cool,” Rountree told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I don’t remember the last time I felt that level of pure joy. It was nice. It was nice. It was overwhelming.”

Rountree, 33, has grown before the eyes of international MMA viewers since his time on “The Ultimate Fighter 23” in 2016. Over the span of the past seven-plus years, Rountree hasn’t been interested in callouts. But with a marquee win on his resume that will likely result in a top-10 ranking, Rountree is focused on the man with the gold title belt: Pereira.

It’s what the fans want by Rountree’s assessment.

“I don’t think you guys have any record of me calling anybody out,” Rountree said. “But in my mind, knowing that if I beat Anthony Smith, that would get me into the top 10. I know that the way that the rankings work and I’m just 12. I know I have to be in the top 10 to even be worthy of fighting for a title. Say I get No. 10 and not No. 8 where Anthony was. From No. 9, in my opinion and I think in the fans’ opinion, the most exciting fight would be me vs. Pereira. That’s just what I’ve seen with comments, things like that. After the fight, I was flooded with people tagging me and things.

“I’m like, I think it makes sense for two dynamic strikers, powerful strikers. I don’t plan to shoot any takedowns. I don’t think I’ve shot a takedown ever in my career. I don’t think that he’s necessarily going to shoot for any takedowns because the guy is a warrior. So then you have two explosive, dynamic (fighters). Now, me being in the top 10, in my mind, it just makes sense. I’m putting in the work every day and I’m prepared for anything. I’m not saying, ‘This is what I want. Give it to me now.’ But, I think that it would make sense, and that’s kind of where I stand.”

Pereira (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) does not have a fight currently on the books, although he’s expected to face Jamahal Hill for his first title defense. He won the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 295 in November – his second victory in the weight class since he moved up from middleweight.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 233.