A win at UFC 320 might have earned Rountree a second title shot and rematch with Pereira, but instead \u201cThe War Horse\u201d was knocked out by the division\u2019s former king Ji\u0159\u00ed Proch\u00e1zka<\/a> after Rountree largely controlled the fight through the first two rounds. <\/p>\n Rountree was up two rounds on all three judges\u2019 scorecards heading into the final five minutes against Proch\u00e1zka, and the 35-year-old took some time to reflect on the loss in a post on his Instagram<\/a> the day after the fight. <\/p>\n \u201cClose. So Close. I\u2019m ok, I\u2019m in good spirits. I\u2019m grateful for every positive message and every comment expressing support for what I give to this sport. To say I\u2019ll 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. Coaches, Family, Friends & Supporters you guys are incredible!\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC champion praises “living legend” Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 320 title defense<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe War Horse\u201d took a five-fight win streak into a light heavyweight title shot against Pereira at UFC 307 last year and was stopped in the first round. He rebounded with a unanimous decision against former light heavyweight titleholder Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC Baku<\/a> earlier this year, and the loss to Proch\u00e1zka likely won\u2019t hurt Rountree\u2019s stock too much after both men took home post-fight bonuses for competing in the \u201cFight of the Night\u201d at UFC 320.<\/p>\n After snatching victory in the final round against Rountree, Proch\u00e1zka was cage side to watch his former foe Pereira knock out Ankalaev in just 80 seconds and reclaim the light heavyweight title. <\/p>\n Alex Pereira (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. \/ Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The Czech star won the 205 lbs. title himself in an incredible war with Pereira\u2019s coach Glover Teixeira at UFC 275, but he elected to vacate the belt after sustaining a should injury that kept him sidelined for an extended period. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Dana White sends cringe message on Conor McGregor’s UFC White House comeback fight<\/a><\/p>\n Proch\u00e1zka returned to fight Pereira for the vacant belt at UFC 295 and was stopped in the second round, and he suffered the same fate when the pair met in a rematch the following summer at UFC 303. <\/p>\n Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. \/ Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Carlos Ulberg looks to be the frontrunner for the next light heavyweight title shot<\/a> following his knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth, but it remains to be seen if Pereira will stick around at 205 lbs. or if he\u2019ll move up to the heavyweight division<\/a> to try and become the first fighter in UFC history to win belts in three different weight classes. <\/p>\n \u2022 Dana White reveals huge UFC main and co-main event fights for November Qatar event<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Ian Garry claims Carlos Prates revealed fake UFC retirement scheme for rematch payday<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Alex Pereira reveals he suffered brutal injury during UFC 320 fight<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Dana White sends cringe message on Conor McGregor’s UFC White House comeback fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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