The UFC light heavyweight division isn’t just heating up in the cage, it’s getting tense on the mic too. This week, Khalil “The War Horse” Rountree Jr. made headlines with a powerful and personal message aimed directly at current champ Magomed Ankalaev, he called out the fighter not for his skills but for his mouth.
Contrary to what some may believe, Khalil Rountree and Magomed Ankalaev have never fought inside the Octagon. But their rivalry is more about words than past matchups and it’s sparked by recent trash‑talk. In the aftermath of UFC 313, where Ankalaev dethroned Alex Pereira to claim the light heavyweight title, Ankalaev took to social media to mock Rountree for his workmanlike win over Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC Baku this past June calling him out as “bum tree,” and making dismissive jokes about his name.
In response, Rountree appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience and pushed back hard, Rountree was pressed for his opinion on Ankalaev and he didn’t hold back.
“He just talks shit, and I hate people that talk shit,” Rountree said. “I just don’t like it. I don’t like people who talk shit for no reason. If I didn’t say anything to you, if I’ve never f*cking mentioned your name, then why are you talking shit to me or about me or disrespecting me?”
Khalil Rountree isn’t buying what Magomed Ankalaev is selling. To him, all the recent trash talk is just a cover-up. it is a way to distract from a fighting style that hasn’t exactly fired up the fans. And if Ankalaev wants to change that, Rountree’s message is clear,he wants him to step up and bring the fight, not just the talk.
”Fight better,” Rountree said. “I hate [the trash talk]. I f*cking hate it. It really bugs me. I just hate it because it’s f*cking unnecessary, and even as an adult, I had to deal with this shit my whole life and it’s a f*cking toxic way of f*cking being and it’s passing along through social media and kids are f*cking getting beat up for it and we’re f*cking grown men on a large platform where people are looking up to us for many different things and they envision us as these f*cking gladiators and this is what you’re choosing to do.”
“We have a responsibility. I feel like as athletes, as champion number f*cking one, as champion, you have a responsibility. You have a belt around your waist and all these eyes and microphone and that’s what you’re going to choose to say is talk shit and degrade my name and I’m not even above you. I’m not even challenging you for a fight and you want to mention me? That, to me, is just like, dude, spend your time wisely. So in a way it’s motivation for me because I’m like, I just won’t do that. I think that there’s so many different things that can be done when you have that belt. That belt is an honor to have that. There’s a responsibility that comes with that, there’s things that you can do with that. It’s not just about you. Realize the responsibility you have when you carry that title.”
Rountree had a bout with then-champion Alex Pereira in a thrilling battle at UFC 307, but came up short. Now, he’s eyeing a rematch, hoping to claim the title, redeem himself, and eventually walk away from the sport on his own terms.
”Here’s an ideal situation,” Rountree said. “Win over Jiri in October. Alex beats Ankalaev. Rematch for the belt against Alex sometime in the first half of next year. Beat Alex in the rematch. Get the belt. I’m the champion all summer. Then somewhere in between summer and fall, there’s a child that comes into play. My wife’s not pregnant yet, but it would be nice. … This is my vision, but there are goals in between.” “Goal: Beat Jiri. Goal: Get another shot at the title. Vision: Start my family. Finish my fight contract. Be done with fighting. Live in Asia.”
Khalil Rountree isn’t just chasing wins, he’s chasing peace, legacy, and closure. After years of war inside the cage, he wants to finish his story on his terms. Whether it’s settling scores with Ankalaev or running it back with Pereira, he’s all in. He’s not begging for attention but demanding respect. And when he goes out, it’ll be with fire in his heart and no regrets.
