On Friday, Dana White announced that Khalil Rountree Jr. will face Alex Pereira for the Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event of UFC 307. However, UFC received a huge backlash from fans for giving No. 8-ranked Rountree Jr. a title shot instead of No. 2-ranked Magomed Ankalaev.
Jamahal Hill stated on X that he couldn’t believe Rountree Jr. getting a title opportunity after being tested positive for a banned substance. Hill added that UFC’s decision was “terrible for the sport and makes the rankings completely pointless.”
In an interview with Kevin Iole, Khalil Rountree Jr. was asked about Jamahal Hill’s statement.
“It doesn’t affect me, you. I understand that he [Jamahal Hill] is upset for his own personal reasons. It’s really none of my business, what he thinks or anybody else thinks. What they believe about the business and how things operate, I don’t think it’s terrible for the sport; I think it’s amazing for the sport. I think the fans are going to be 100% hyped on this fight. You got a guy like me, [and] you got a guy like Alex [Pereira], we’re going to go head-to-head. I mean, it’s exciting for the sport. I think it’s an amazing thing for the fans. I’m grateful for the UFC for this opportunity. Everybody else whatever, you know negative opinions; if you’re anything but excited about this fight, maybe you got the problem. I don’t think it’s the matchmakers or the company; it’s like, if you have a problem with this then, yeah, I think the problem is yours.”