Preview: UFC 226 ‘Miocic vs. Cormier’

Light Heavyweights
Gokhan Saki (1-1) vs. Khalil Rountree (6-2, 1 N/C)
Odds: Saki (-130), Rountree (+110)

Former professional kickboxing and Muay Thai champion Saki gets his second UFC opponent and third pro MMA fight in Rountree. This fight seems like it should be fairly straightforward. By normal high-level MMA standards, Rountree’s wrestling and grappling are awful, so I would be surprised if he looked to take Saki down. So far, the UFC has matched the Turkish-born Dutchman with high-action, low-defense bangers unlikely to shoot on him over and over again, and Rountree fits that mold to a T. He is a massive hitter, so this will be a “Don’t blink” barnburner for however long it lasts. Given how shallow his game is, it’s a little surprising that Rountree trains at Syndicate MMA, one of the best gyms around, but he’s only been a pro for four years. The former TUF finalist throws every punch and kick with every ounce of power he can muster. The southpaw fires vicious kicks to all levels and will switch stances to open up power kicks with his right leg as well. Rountree isn’t shy about getting in a firefight, but his haymaker hooks get wide and loopy with no provocation whatsoever.

Saki is a former Glory Kickboxing champion, boasting over 80 wins and nearly 60 knockouts during a kickboxing career that stretches back to 2000. In other words, Saki has been plying his trade -- in Rountree’s preferred phase -- since Rountree was 10 year old, 14 years before becoming a professional prizefighter himself. The Dutchman isn’t old and decrepit either. He’s still just 34, beginning his career in his mid-teens. There is a lot of mileage and wear and tear on his body, but the technical and experience edges he holds should carry him through this matchup.

There were causes for concern in his first UFC fight nearly ten months ago, however. Saki was able to slide away and counter the eminently hittable but stupidly tough Luis Henrique da Silva. But the plodding Brazilian got his licks in as well. Near the end of the opening round, Saki’s hands had dropped to his waist. “Frankenstein” had him backed up to the cage and shelled up under a barrage of power punches. Saki was able to find an opening for a thunderous counter left hook that ended the fight, but he was not as dominant in a pure standup battle as might have been expected. Granted, he had been on the sidelines for two years prior to that fight. He also managed to stuff Henrique’s only takedown attempt. The fight did what it was supposed to do: get the exciting kickboxer a chance to knock the rust off, get a win, and show off his blindingly fast hands and deep kickboxing toolkit. I particularly liked his double left hook.

Both men hit like a ton of bricks and have terrible cardio (at least that’s what Saki showed in his only recent MMA fight). If the fight somehow goes beyond the first frame, look out, because it will get ugly fast. But I don’t foresee that happening. Rountree has so far demonstrated a strong beard; grappling and gas tank issues have been his undoing. But his wide, looping punches will make him an open target for counters from the experienced kickboxer. Saki by first round knockout is the pick.

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