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Khalil Rountree Jr. has revealed the grueling recovery process he has undergone after his knockout defeat to Alex Pereira in the UFC 307 main event.
Khalil Rountree undergoes surgery
The bout, which marked Rountree's first UFC title shot, ended in the fourth round after Pereira landed a brutal combination of strikes that left Rountree bloodied and battered.
Although Rountree fought valiantly and was ahead on all three judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage, Pereira's power ultimately overwhelmed him in Salt Lake City.
In the aftermath of the fight, Rountree shared that he underwent a septoplasty, a surgical procedure to repair a deviated septum caused by the damage sustained in the bout.
Describing the procedure, Rountree didn't hold back on the physical toll it took. "Septoplasty is the worst surgery on the planet," he said. "Pure pain."
The 34-year-old Las Vegas native went on to explain that Pereira's strikes, particularly an uppercut and a series of body shots, were responsible for the significant damage to his nose.
"I don't know what punch, but I know that last uppercut before the body shots definitely landed on my nose," Rountree recalled.
Rountree Jr.: Beating was worth it
Following his post-fight medical evaluation in Salt Lake City, Rountree was flown back home, where he opted to have the surgery immediately.
"The doctors saw that there was some slight fracturing and a severely deviated septum, so we went right ahead and corrected that as soon as I got home,"Rountree explained.
He further described the aftermath of the surgery as "the most uncomfortable, painful procedure I've ever had," highlighting the difficulty of sleeping and the constant headaches caused by the nasal splints and sponges that are part of his recovery process.
Despite the pain, Rountree expressed no regrets about his UFC 307 experience.
"Every scar that I have, every bump, it's all worth it," he said.
"For me to have worked this hard to get to the point of fighting Alex in a main event for the title, everything that came with it was absolutely worth it. I wouldn't change one thing."
Looking ahead, Rountree hopes to return to the octagon in the first quarter of next year and has his sights set on a potential matchup with former champion Jamahal Hill.