Interviewer:
“Joining me in the Octagon is the always exciting Khalil Rountree Jr. Khalil, that was an incredible performance tonight! The energy in this arena is electric, and you put on a show. What was your mindset coming into this fight, and how do you feel right now after that battle?”

Khalil Rountree Jr.:
“Thank you, I really appreciate the support from the fans tonight. Coming into this fight, I just wanted to be grateful. I’ve been in this sport for a long time, and I’ve had my ups and downs, but tonight was all about embracing the moment. I’ve worked hard for this opportunity, and I knew my opponent was dangerous, so I stayed focused on executing my game plan. It feels amazing to get this win in front of all of you.”

Interviewer:
“You looked focused, but you did take a lot of damage during the fight. Was there anything that surprised you about your opponent’s power or technique?”

Khalil Rountree Jr.:
“Honestly, I wasn’t surprised by anything he threw at me. I knew he was a tough striker, and I expected to take some shots. But what surprised me was how well he moved and how hard it was to land clean strikes on him. He did a great job of evading my punches and countering, so I had to adapt my game plan on the fly.”

Interviewer:
“It was a gritty performance for sure. You mentioned adapting — was there a point where you felt like you had to dig deep to keep going in this fight?”

Khalil Rountree Jr.:
“Absolutely. When you’re in there, you have to keep pushing. It’s about heart, and when you’re tired or hurt, that’s when you find out what kind of fighter you are. I’ve been through a lot in my career, and tonight I really felt like I was in the fight of my life. But I stayed calm and kept working, and that’s what got me through.”

Interviewer:
“I see you’re sporting a little bit of blood there. Are you alright?”

Khalil Rountree Jr.:
“Yeah, I’m good! It’s just part of the sport, man. I’ll wear that blood like a badge of honor. You guys can even buy the towel on eBay if you want! (laughs) But really, I’m just grateful to be here, and I’m thankful for everyone who’s supported me.”

Interviewer:
“You’re definitely a warrior, Khalil. You’ve gained a lot of fans tonight. Before you go, any final words for the people here in Salt Lake City or anyone watching at home?”

Khalil Rountree Jr.:
“First of all, I want to give a huge thank you to the fans here in Salt Lake. You’ve made me feel so welcome, and I’ll never forget this experience. The energy in this building was unreal. I’ve had an amazing training camp, and I’d love to come back to fight here again. Thank you to my coaches, my team, and to all my fans — you guys are the reason I keep pushing. I’ll be back stronger and better than ever.”

Interviewer:
“We can’t wait to see you back in action, Khalil. Congratulations on an amazing fight. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Khalil Rountree Jr.!”

(The crowd cheers as Khalil waves and exits the Octagon.)