"Never stop fighting the good fight!" - Khalil Rountree Jr.'s inspirational message wins fans over despite UFC 320 heartbreak

Khalil Rountree Jr. left the UFC 320 octagon with a tough loss, but he walked away having gained valuable lessons. He started strong against Jiri Prochazka, controlling the first two rounds with precise strikes and consistent pressure that earned him an early advantage on the scorecards.

Prochazka’s relentless and unpredictable style became the deciding factor in the third round, as a barrage of punches, kicks, and elbows culminated in a knockout at the 3:04 mark. Despite the setback, Rountree quickly shifted focus to gratitude and perseverance. He took to Instagram to reflect on the loss, writing:

"Close. So Close. I’m ok, I’m in good spirits. I’m grateful for every positive message and every comment expressing support for what I give to this sport. To say I’ll be back is an understatement. Never stop living! Never stop fighting the good fight! For yourself, for your families, for humanity till the end. Losses hurt, not only me."

He added:

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"@ufc nothing but appreciation for the platform and all of the staff that make it happen for us. I’m here for a while, you will all see me in there again next year, and win lose or draw I’ll always fight until the last drop."

Check out Khalil Rountree Jr.'s Instagram post below:

Several fans reacted to the post, with Hollywood icon Chuck Norris commenting:

"What a fight! Keep your head high, Khalil. Every warrior faces setbacks, you’ll be back stronger than ever."

His wife, Mia Kan,g wrote:

"The strongest man on this planet. There is no one like you."

Meanwhile, other fans commented:

"True inspiration, you showed why you’re my favorite fighter last night, even in defeat."

"Awesome entertaining fight between two high-level martial artists."

"You [are] still a champ in my book."

Check out some of the reactions below:

Fans react to Khalil Rountree Jr.'s statement after UFC 320 loss. [Screenshots courtesy: @khalilrountree on Instagram]

Dana White reacts to the final round between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320

UFC CEO Dana White praised the thrilling third round between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320. Rountree Jr. dominated the first two rounds, landing significant strikes and controlling the pace.

Prochazka weathered the storm and mounted a furious comeback in the third. White described the fight as exactly what was expected from two elite light heavyweights. Speaking at the UFC 320 post-fight press conference, he said:

“Incredible. I mean, to be honest with you, as we were talking about this fight leading up to it, that’s what we thought all three rounds were gonna be if it went that far.”

About the author

Abhishek Ramadasan Nambiar is a journalist who covers MMA at Sportskeeda. As a long-time practitioner of various martial arts, seeing the fusion of different forms into a quest for the ultimate fighter felt both primal and profoundly technical. At Sportskeeda, Abhishek's primary goal is to offer a fresh and distinctive angle through his writing, aiming to provide readers with more than just the basics of MMA. Along with keeping them informed about the latest developments in the sport, he strives to offer valuable insights that enhance their understanding of MMA.

When not writing about MMA, Abhishek often spends time reviewing music or devouring Brian Evanson's and Blake Crouch's work. Sign up to receive news, regular updates, and exclusive coverage.

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