Khalil Rountree Still Wants Fight With Gokhan Saki

Khalil Rountree spoke with MMAjunkie about being originally set to face Gokhan Saki at UFC 219 before Saki had to pull out due to injury. Highlights are below:

On Saki pulling out of the fight due to injury: “It crushed me. I was crushed. I felt like someone had taken everything away from me.”

On wanting the fight still: “I told him I still want that fight. I see that you’re injured. I know that it takes some time. But whenever you’re ready, I want that fight. Don’t choose anybody else.”

On his hopes for the fight: “I didn’t want to fight in Vegas. But because it was Gokhan Saki, because it was such a huge opportunity, I would have taken anything. I was preparing to give the fans the fight they wanted to see. Everybody’s telling me, ‘Take him down’ – that’s the way you’re going to win.’ I’m like, ‘That’s the way you’re going to win because you’re afraid. But I’m here to entertain.’”

On having to adjust after Saki pulled out: “I had to make a huge shift, because I was so amped up for that fight. I still am. I’m not going to say a minor adjustment; it was a huge one. Now, there’s just something in the way of something that I really want, and now I’m 100 percent dialed in on that.”