Khalil Rountree has offered an inside look at Khamzat Chimaev’s training ahead of UFC 328, and he’s not exactly thrilled about the idea of the undefeated star moving to his division.
Rountree, speaking from Newport Beach, Calif., said he has been working closely with Chimaev as the UFC champion prepares to defend his title against Sean Strickland, with middleweight contender Brendan Allen also serving as a key training partner. Rountree reacted honestly to hearing Chimaev is interested in a potential move to light heavyweight.
"I feel many different ways," Rountree said. "When I first heard the news (he's interested in a potential light heavyweight move), I was like a bit bummed out, really. Just to know that a guy like Khamzat would come to your division and had to be a potential matchup if that happened, it doesn't make me happy to think about that."
Rountree didn’t hold back when describing what it’s like sharing rounds with the unbeaten champion. "I just told you training with this guy, he's the best in the world. It's difficult. It's difficult in all areas, in standup, in grappling. No one gets an easy round with Khamzat. It doesn't matter what weight class, what size," he said. "That was my initial thoughts, like, 'Damn, if he made the move up, we're all kind of screwed.' That's kind of how I look at it."
