Rountree's Coach Reveals How He Stopped Ankalaev Fight

Khalil Rountree was ready to fight Magomed Ankalaev injured at UFC Abu Dhabi, but his coach stopped him from making the walk.

Syndicate MMA's John Wood told Jake Noecker of Home of Fight that he convinced Rountree to pull out of Saturday's scheduled light heavyweight clash inside Etihad Arena, per MMA Junkie. Wood said the injury limited Rountree's camp output to a point where competing against the division's top contender made no sense. "He was going to do it. He was full on and had the conversations like, 'You know what? I'm just going to bite down and go.' I kind of made the decision of like, 'No, dude. This is too big of an opportunity, too big of a situation, you're fighting the No. 1 contender,'" Wood said.

Rountree Expected Back Soon After Avoiding Surgery

Wood confirmed the injury won't require surgery and expects Rountree available in the near future. Bogdan Guskov replaced Rountree on short notice and was stopped by Ankalaev in the fifth round via TKO. Rountree remains ranked among the light heavyweight elite despite the withdrawal.

UFC champion Carlos Ulberg, currently sidelined himself, suggested Rountree face Paulo Costa while Ankalaev meets Jiri Prochazka. The more impressive winner of those two bouts would challenge Ulberg for the 205-pound title. Rountree holds wins over Anthony Smith and Chris Daukaus in his last five appearances.

Original reporting:

• bjpenn.com — Khalil Rountree's coach convinced him to avoid fighting Magomed Ankalaev injured: "He was going to do it" | BJPenn.com