Khalil Rountree says he was 'shocked' watching Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328

Khalil Rountree Jr. has gone on record describing his reaction to Khamzat Chimaev's championship performance at UFC 328 on May 9, admitting he was left in a state of shock while watching the bout unfold.

Rountree, the number-seven ranked light heavyweight contender, said he found it nearly impossible to score the rounds or properly break down what he was watching in the moment. The 36-year-old American carries a 15-7-0 record and is known as a powerful southpaw striker, averaging 3.88 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-one frame and a 76-inch reach. His comments suggest Chimaev's showing transcended the kind of performance that lends itself to straightforward analytical viewing.

Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," entered UFC 328 as the number-one ranked middleweight and the tenth-ranked fighter pound-for-pound. The 32-year-old representing the UAE out of Allstars Training Center brought a 15-1-0 record into the title fight. His statistical profile helps explain why Rountree found the performance so striking — Chimaev lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, and pairs that output with a ferocious grappling game that produces 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts in the same span.

Why it matters

• Chimaev's UFC 328 performance has prompted widespread reaction across the sport, with even fighters in other divisions taking notice
• Rountree's perspective as an active ranked contender lends weight to the conversation around Chimaev's championship showing
• The comments underscore the degree to which Chimaev's all-around skill set — elite striking accuracy combined with dominant wrestling — presents a difficult picture for opponents and observers alike