Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. will face off at UFC 320 on Sunday evening, with both fighters in contention at the top of the light heavyweight division’s rankings.
Match News and Current Form
Both Prochazka and Rountree Jr. find themselves in the top five of the light heavyweight division’s rankings, with champion Magomed Ankalaev taking on Alex Pereira in Sunday’s main event.
A win for either fighter would put them in a good position to challenge for the title, with Prochazka having already held the gold as recently as 2022. The Czech defeated Glover Teixeira for the belt before losing to Pereira twice, either side of a knockout win over Aleksandar Rakic.
In his singular fight since his rematch with Pereira, Prochazka knocked out Jamahal Hill.
Across a storied MMA career, Prochazka has a record of 31 wins, five losses and one draw, having only lost two fights in the UFC (both against Pereira).
Rountree Jr. has had a shorter MMA career than his opponent but still boasts an impressive record of 15 wins and six losses, with one no contest. The American’s most recent fight also came against Hill, winning by unanimous decision compared to Prochazka’s knockout victory.
Also like his opponent on Sunday, Rountree Jr. has previously fought Pereira for the light heavyweight belt, but was similarly unsuccessful. Before that defeat, the American had won five fights in a row, four of which came by knockout.
Head-to-Head History
Despite both being prominent figures in the light heavyweight division, the two fighters have never crossed paths in the Octagon before.
The closest comparisons that can be drawn are their recent wins over Hill, as well as their defeats to former champion Pereira, both by knockout.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Rountree Jr. has won six of his last seven fights, formidable form heading into a hard-hitting bout on Sunday.
All of Prochazka’s seven UFC fights have ended by knockout or submission, with the Czech fighter yet to go the distance to a decision.
Across both fighters’ careers, only three wins out of a possible 46 have come from submission.
Betting Analysis
This fight promises to be an exciting and spectacular show. However, the pedigree of both fighters suggests that the bout will not go to a decision.
Author : Ali Pollock
