It wasn’t just a fight.
It might have been the end of an era… and the start of something new.
At the inaugural UFC Baku event, American fighter Khalil Rountree Jr. didn’t just win — he executed a systematic destruction of former champion Jamahal Hill, leaving fans and analysts questioning the trajectory of both men’s careers.
Hill stepped into the octagon desperate for redemption, following defeats to Pereira and Prochazka. But what he found was a “War Horse” who attacked with precision, patience, and brutal effectiveness.
💥 A second KO for Khalil Rountree… This is madness! 🔥The carnage continues at #UFCBaku — Rountree is ruthless! 🥶🥊
💥 ضربة قاضية ثانية لخليل رونتري… هذا جنون! 🔥
المذبحة مستمرة في #UFCBaku — رونتري لا يعرف الرحمة! 🥶🥊 pic.twitter.com/0cIVUjCz3K— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) June 22, 2025
Are we still betting on an illusion called Jamahal Hill?
From the opening round, Rountree hammered Hill’s lead leg, crippling his movement. The ex-champion was soon limping, forced to switch stances and fight defensively. The sharp, calculated Rountree didn’t let up — he varied his attacks and dropped Hill twice with clean, punishing shots.
It was not just dominance. It was control. A technical deconstruction.
Khalil 🇺🇸 rolls over the crowd's favorite and secures a unanimous decision win! 🥊🔥
A dominant and dangerous performance from Rountree on a shining night at Baku!
خليل 🇺🇸 يتدحرج على تلة الجماهير ويحصد الفوز بقرار إجماعي! 🥊🔥
عرض قتالي مميز وخطير من رونتري في ليلة تألقه في باكو! pic.twitter.com/sCvwPAhKJP— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) June 22, 2025
Is Khalil Rountree Jr. now a real title contender?
With a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 50-45, 50-45), Rountree finally cracks the Top 5 of the light heavyweight division.
No longer just a respected name or a gatekeeper — now, a legitimate threat.
Is he ready to challenge the elite: Pereira, Ankalaev, Blachowicz?
And more importantly, can UFC afford to overlook him any longer?
🗣️ "I want to be the champion"
Khalil Rountree Jr shows his big ambition aiming for the title 🏆🔥#UFCBaku🗣️ "أريد أن أصبح البطل"
خليل رونتري جونيور يعبر عن طموحه الكبير ويطمح للقب 🏆🔥 #UFCBaku pic.twitter.com/GeESC2BxZu— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) June 22, 2025
And Jamahal Hill? A career in decline?
Two devastating losses. Visible physical decline. A worrying loss of explosiveness.
Does Hill need time away from the cage to rebuild… or has his peak already passed?
UFC Baku delivered more than just entertainment.
It offered a dramatic changing of the guard in one of MMA’s most volatile divisions.
