Jamahal Hill Edges Rountree in All-Out War at UFC Baku
In a razor-close five-rounder, Hill guts out a majority decision win over a relentless Khalil Rountree Jr.
Table of Contents
Jamahal Hill didn’t cruise. He crawled through fire. And when the smoke cleared in Baku, he had just enough left in the tank—and just enough love from the judges—to walk away with a majority decision win over Khalil Rountree Jr. in one of the grittiest five-round fights we’ve seen this year.
Two scorecards read 48–47 for Hill, one had it 47–47—but the numbers don’t do justice to the chaos we witnessed inside the Crystal Hall. This wasn’t a dominant return for Hill. It was a survival story.
And that’s what made it unforgettable.
Back-and-Forth Mayhem, Round by Brutal Round
The fight opened with Rountree in full charge mode, stalking Hill with heavy kicks and sharp lefts, looking to dent the former champ early. Hill, usually a smooth sniper, had to weather a storm. And he did—but not without feeling the heat. You could see the gears turning, his timing just half a second off. That first round? Rountree’s. No question.
Then Hill started finding his flow. By Round 2, the jab was landing. By Round 3, he was threading combinations. That’s when this fight got nasty. Not reckless—just pure, tactical violence. Both men stood toe-to-toe in stretches, taking turns claiming center cage, throwing with conviction.
Round 4 was the pivot. Hill kept his foot on the gas just a little longer, landing clean while dodging the kill shots. His eyes locked in, his footwork tighter, and when he started piecing Rountree up with fast counters, you felt the tide shifting.
But Rountree’s got dog in him. That fifth round? He came out swinging like a man who knew he needed to steal it—and maybe he did. Hard body shots. Chopping low kicks. Hill kept his guard high, returned fire, but there was nothing clear-cut. It was a round you score with your gut, not your calculator.
The Verdict: Razor-Thin, But Hill Edges It
When Bruce Buffer read the scores—48–47, 48–47, 47–47—you could see the tension snap in Hill’s posture. He knew how close it was. So did Rountree. And honestly? A draw wouldn’t have been robbery.
But Hill got the nod. Two judges saw him do just enough in three rounds. That fourth, in particular, felt like the decider. He didn’t run away with it—but he rose when it counted.
Bigger Than a Win, It Was a Comeback
This was Hill’s first fight since vacating his light heavyweight title after a torn Achilles sidelined him last year. That kind of injury doesn’t just slow you down—it plants doubt. Can you still move the same? React the same? Take a hit, trust your body, throw with bad intentions?
Saturday night, we got the answer. He’s not fully back yet—but the heart never left.
As for Rountree, credit where it’s due. He didn’t just show up—he fought like a man who believed this was his breakthrough moment. And in a just world, it still might be. He looked sharp, he had power, he fought smart. This wasn’t a loss that sets him back. This was a performance that says, put me in a co-main tomorrow—I’ll deliver.
What Comes Next?
Hill’s win keeps him in the elite mix at 205. Maybe a Procházka rematch. Maybe Ankalaev. Either way, he’s still here, still dangerous, and still in the title picture.
For Rountree? Book him again, soon. He’s got too much momentum to waste on the bench.
Final Scores:
- Hill def. Rountree Jr. via majority decision
- Scorecards: 48–47, 48–47, 47–47
No robbery. No blowout. Just a hell of a fight.
New Jersey Times Is Your Source: The Latest In Politics, Entertainment, Business, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, And Twitter To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Do Checkout Our Telegram Channel @Njtdotcom For Latest Updates.
