Two of one of the best knockout artists within the UFC’s mild heavyweight division will go head-to-head on Saturday as former champion Jamahal Hill takes on former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. in the principle occasion at UFC Combat Evening in Baku, Azerbaijan (3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+; prelims at midday ET on ESPN/ESPN+).
Hill, who earned a UFC contract with a formidable KO victory on “Dana White’s Contender Collection” in June 2019, has a knack for turning fights into slugfests. He has 4 wins by knockout contained in the Octagon and 7 of his 10 UFC fights have ended by KO/TKO. Rountree has knocked out seven of his UFC opponents.
Here’s a rating of Hill and Rountree’s finest knockouts to this point, beginning with the win that earned Rountree his shot on the mild heavyweight title at UFC 307. And stick round for a few bonus finishes from co-main occasion fighters Rafael Fiziev and Ignacio Bahamondes.
1. Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Anthony Smith at UFC Combat Evening on Dec. 9, 2023
On this struggle, Rountree was matched in opposition to a former title challenger and one of many larger names within the division. Rountree entered the bout in opposition to Smith driving a four-fight profitable streak and inside vary of a title shot ought to he win.
Rountree established dominance with early hanging, resulting in a highlight-reel third-round end over Smith. The memorable second when Rountree floored Smith, then walked towards him in sluggish movement, holding up his fist, cemented Rountree as the subsequent challenger for the title.
2. Jamahal Hill vs. Thiago Santos at UFC Combat Evening on Aug. 6, 2022
The most important questions for Hill getting into this No. 1 contender struggle had been whether or not his cardio may maintain up and would his knockout energy final into the later rounds. We acquired the reply to each questions: Sure.
Hill fought a troublesome and well-rounded striker in Santos and continued to stress him all through the struggle. Hill acquired his fourth TKO victory over the previous title challenger and went on to change into a champion.
3. Jamahal Hill vs. Johnny Walker at UFC Combat Evening on Feb. 19, 2022
This struggle was Hill’s alternative to interrupt into the highest 5 within the division and probably get a No. 1 contender struggle. Walker had misplaced three of his previous 4 bouts getting into this struggle, however he is at all times a harmful opponent due to his measurement and athleticism. Nevertheless, Hill was the extra harmful fighter that night time, touchdown a knockout punch that despatched Walker off his ft in Spherical 1. This is without doubt one of the finest knockouts you may see contained in the Octagon.
4. Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Karl Roberson at UFC Combat Evening on March 12, 2022
Rountree fought like a decided man in opposition to Roberson. Every of Rountree’s kicks to the physique might be heard all through the world. Each strike had unhealthy intentions, however nothing in comparison with the end. Rountree dropped Roberson to his knees then landed a soccer kick to the physique that may have crumbled anybody. With that win, Rountree put the division on discover that he is not somebody to be taken frivolously.
5. Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Modestas Bukauskas at UFC Combat Evening on Sept. 4, 2021
Khalil Rountree ended his struggle in opposition to Modestas Bukauskas with an indirect kick. pic.twitter.com/1iGRcHmeb3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 4, 2021
After struggling consecutive losses to Ion Cutelaba and Marcin Prachnio, Rountree might have been in a win-or-go-home match in opposition to Bukauskas. Rountree was touchdown strikes, then threw a downward kick within the second spherical that shattered Bukauskas’s knee and ended the struggle instantly.
6. Jamahal Hill vs. Jimmy Crute at UFC Combat Evening on Dec. 4, 2021
After getting his arm dislocated by Paul Craig in June 2021, Hill returned seven months later to tackle Crute. Hill discovered his groove early within the struggle and landed a ravishing KO late in Spherical 1. What a option to bounce again from the primary lack of his profession and kick off his journey to the title.
This weekend’s co-main occasion will even characteristic two fighters with spectacular finishes of their UFC careers, as Rafael Fiziev squares off with Ignacio Bahamondes. Right here is the one must-see knockout from every fighter.
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Roosevelt Roberts at UFC Combat Evening on Aug. 21, 2021
After impressing on “Dana White Contender’s Collection,” Bahamondes misplaced his UFC debut by determination to John Makdessi. However in his subsequent struggle, 4 months later, Bahamondes landed one of many coolest finishes of the yr, knocking out Roberts with a spinning wheel kick. The win acquired Bahamondes again within the eyes of MMA followers, and he has been climbing the ranks since.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Brad Riddell at UFC Combat Evening on Dec. 4, 2021
This was one of the best end of Fiziev’s profession. Coincidentally, he additionally landed a ravishing spinning wheel kick to finish Riddell’s night time. It was Fiziev’s second knockout win within the promotion, and it earned him a big-name opponent in Rafael dos Anjos straight after.
