UFC - UFC #320
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by Stephen Abiola | in UFC Picks
Jiri Prochazka (31-5-1) and Khalil Rountree Jr. (15-6-0) will face off in a UFC Light Heavyweight matchup on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Jiri Prochazka joined the franchise in July 2020, winning his first two fights to earn a title fight against Glover Teixeira at UFC 275. He won the battle with an impressive rear neck choke before losing his crown to Alex Pereira at UFC 295. Prochazka got another title shot in June 2024, losing to Pereira via a KO kick. His last fight ended in a KO win against Jamahal Hill, and he’ll have his eyes set on another title shot.
Khalil Rountree Jr, on the other hand, is a highly experienced name in the franchise, having joined in July 2016. The 35-year-old has participated in 17 fights since joining the UFC, including a title fight against Alex Pereira in October last year. However, he lost the fight via a KO punch in Round 4. The American fighter has since bounced back with a decision win against Jamahal Hill in June this year. “The War Horse” will be keen to go on another run towards the championship.
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Jiri Prochazka - Khalil Rountree Jr.: Form Analysis
Jiri Prochazka has a 31-5-1 professional record, including 30 stoppage victories. That proves that he’s certainly doing something right. He is exceptional at pressing his opponents with quick and explosive punches, just as he did in his KO win against Aleksandar Rakic. He will want to start the fight with blazing speed, knowing that Rountree can crumble under pressure. Prochazka has held the title once after defeating Glover Teixeira in June 2022. However, he vacated the title after picking up a shoulder injury. He’s a fighter with much to prove.
Khalil Rountree Jr. is a decorated fighter who made the finals of the Ultimate Fighter 2023 in 2016. He ended up losing the finale to Andrew Sanchez, but still got a spot in the UFC. His first promotional fight in the franchise came in November of the same year against Tyson Pedro. Rountree ended up getting submitted in Round 1. However, he bounced back to win his next three fights via KO/TKO, kickstarting his high successful UFC journey. Today, he’s among the best finishers in the UFC with 10 KO/TKO wins.
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Jiri Prochazka & Khalil Rountree Jr. Squad Analysis
Born in October 1992, Jiri Prochazka is a professional mixed martial artist from the Czech Republic. Prochazka’s fighting skills go back to his teenage days when he participated in street fights. In fact, it’s said he used to participate in almost 100 of them weekly. However, his MMA journey started before he entered high school after watching a video of kickboxer Ramon Dekkers. In April 2022, he made his professional MMA debut for the Gladiator Fighting Championship. He later signed a contract with the UFC in January 2020. Prochazka is ranked #2 in the division.
Khalil Rountree Jr. is an MMA artist born in February 1990 in Los Angeles, California. Like his competitor on Saturday, “The War Horse” grew without his father, who was shot by thugs when he was just 2 years old. However, this didn’t stop him from becoming a professional MMA fighter. Rountree began his MMA career at the Resurrection Fighting Alliance before making his promotional UFC debut in July 2016. In October 2020, Rountree signed a contract extension with the UFC despite retirement rumors. Today, he’s ranked #4 in the Light Heavyweight division.
Jiri Prochazka - Khalil Rountree Jr. Key Points
- The fight was decided via KO/TKO in six of the last seven Jiri Prochazka bouts.
- Jiri Prochazka won four of his five UFC wins via KO/TKO.
- Three of the last four Khalil Rountree Jr fights were decided via KO/TKO.
- The fight didn’t go the distance in the last seven Jiri Prochazka bouts.
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Our Jiri Prochazka vs Khalil Rountree Jr. Prediction
Jiri Prochazka will come into this bout at the warm -210 betting favorite. The 33-year-old is one of the best finishers in the UAE thanks to his orthodox and unpredictable style. He tends to start his fights quickly, which may cause problems for Rountree Jr, who likes to take time reading his opponents. However, as Prochazka presses forward, he must watch out for Rountree’s impressive striking power and elite clinch game. He can cause problems for Prochazka if this fight doesn’t end in the first or second round. Still, Prochazka has the better arsenal to get the job done.
Our prediction for Jiri Prochazka vs Khalil Rountree Jr: A KO/TKO win for Prochazka.
Jiri Prochazka vs Khalil Rountree Jr. - Other Interesting Picks
Any fighter to win via KO, TKO, or DQ
Both men have enough arsenal to maximize each other’s historic weaknesses. Prochazka will likely go on an all-out attack mode to press Rountree early in the fight. However, Rountree can maximize the openings to dish out hard counter shots. Given that neither fighter excels in defense, our secondary pick is for any fighter to win via KO, TKO, or DQ.
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All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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