Khalil Rountree announces UFC deal extension, walks back retirement talk

Khalil Rountree is sticking about.

This previous weekend, Rountree declared via Instagram that he has signed a agreement extension with the UFC and that he expects to compete again in 2021. This signals a reversal in Rountree’s mind-set from December of final 12 months when he introduced that his next combat would be his previous (Rountree has not fought given that making that assertion).

“I’m incredibly content to announce that I’ve resolved to increase my deal with the UFC and will be earning my return at the begin of 2021,” Rountree wrote.

Rountree, 30, was the mild heavyweight runner-up on season 23 of The Top Fighter and he begun off -2 with the UFC just before scoring wins in a few of his next 4 outings (like a reduction to Michal Oleksiejczuk that was later on changed to a no contest when Oleksiejczuk analyzed beneficial for a banned substance). He fought 2 times in 2019, successful a lopsided unanimous selection more than Eryk Anders and then dropping by first-spherical TKO to Ion Cutelaba in September.

His UFC report stands at 4-4 (1 NC), although his all round professional history is 8-4 (1 NC). Three of Rountree’s UFC victories have arrive by way of initially-spherical knockout.

In Rountree’s statement, he described that the crack from level of competition served him to recharge.

“After becoming absent from the sport for above one particular year now it feels like I have the chance to get started new,” Rountree wrote. “I’m again in the game 100 % like I have just started, all set to set on the most enjoyable fights you’ve found from me yet.

“I’ve had plenty of down time to reflect, reinvent and tighten my circle. I’ve taken the time to glance at myself from the within out and I’ve shared with you all the ups and downs publicly. Now it’s time to chunk down and battle more difficult than at any time. I’m prepared, and you ought to be also.”