UFC Vegas 83 video: Khalil Rountree Jr. calls out Alex Pereira after brutal knockout to finish Anthony Smith

10/12/2023 06:07

Khalil Rountree Jr. has gold on his mind after knocking out Anthony Smith in the UFC Vegas 83 co-main event.

It was another statement performance from Rountree as he showcased his power and precision on the feet throughout the entire fight. Once the third round got started, Rountree set up a perfectly timed uppercut that rattled Smith and he followed that up with one more punch behind it that sent the 35-year-old veteran down to the canvas.

As Smith rolled over and covered up to avoid further damage, the referee jumped in to stop the fight with the end coming at just 56 seconds in the third round.

"Overwhelmed but very, very happy," Rountree said afterwards. "[I had to] get ready, there's no other option. When a name like that comes around, get ready. Hats off to Anthony Smith. The biggest thing was just to capitalize on what I saw. Look for what you want to do and it will be there. I didn't do anything crazy. This is what I've been working for."

When the fight started it was Smith staying in pursuit as he closed the distance while sticking a lead jab in Rountree's face. In return, Rountree looked to set up his signature kicks and then unleashing the vicious power in his hands that has defined so much of his career.

As the first round continued, Rountree began using a straight left hand down the middle that started catching Smith off guard. Rountree then uncorked a nasty combination with a short right followed by a stinging left that snapped off Smith's jaw.

Smith got more aggressive on the restart while turning to his grappling but Rountree defended well to keep the fight on the feet. With Smith coming forward, Rountree caught him with a hard counter punch that wobbled the one-time UFC title challenger.

Despite being hurt momentarily, Smith found time to recover before resetting in the center of the cage but he was still stuck in a kickboxing bout and Rountree welcomed that kind of fight.

Like clockwork with Smith stepping forward again, Rountree countered with a perfectly timed uppercut followed by a devastating left hand behind it that landed clean. Smith immediately stumbled backwards before crumbling to the canvas where Rountree resisted throwing another punch as the referee swooped in to stop the fight.

Following his fifth straight win — including four knockouts — Rountree wasted no time calling his shot with his sights set on new UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

"The only thing that I want to do is fight Alex Pereira, Rountree said. "I think that's a fight the fans would want to see. The fans would love to see that fight. I think it would be something great."