Anthony Smith vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Veteran Anthony Smith faces a tough challenge to stop streaking Khalil Rountree Jr., on a four-match winning streak with three knockouts. Anthony Smith has made a quick turnaround from an August fight to step in for Azamat Murzakanov, who was originally billed to face Rountree. This weekend, the light heavyweight pairing between top ten Smith and number eleven Rountree Jr. is the co-main event slot at the UFC Apex. The experienced former title challenger, Smith, is the underdog ahead of the weekend joust.

MMA: UFC Light heavyweight

Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas

Where to watch: ESPN+

Date: 10.12.2023. 06:30

The 34-year-old first debuted in the UFC ten years ago. The veteran Anthony Smith has over fifty professional MMA fights and also competes professionally in grappling events. Coming off a second victory over Ryan Spann, “Lionheart” has fought most of the big names in the light heavyweight division of the UFC. The 35-year-old lost to Jon Jones back in 2016, with the champ stopping his three-fight win streak. He has also shared the octagon with Glover Teixeira, Aleksandar Rakić, Johnny Walker, and recently Magomed Ankalaev. Smith shocked the world in 2020 when he confronted an intruder in his house, fighting the man for five minutes before the Police arrived. The number eight-ranked high heavyweight will be making a rather quick turnaround from a split decision over Spann in August to try to derail the Rountree Jr. locomotive.

• Age: 35;
• Height: 6’ 4”;
• Reach: 76”;
• Record: 37-18

Khalil Rountree Jr. is steadily progressing towards the top ten in the light heavyweight class. Three stoppages in his last four have earned the American the reputation of being a knockout artist. Debuting in 2016 in the UFC, the 33-year-old, who weighed three hundred pounds at twenty years, found it hard in his early years in the promotion but is now poised to make something of his career. The Southpaw is a TUF alum making it to the tournament’s finale in 2106. His last fight was a TKO over Chris Daukaus last August, earning a performance bonus for a first-round stoppage via punches. Before going on his four-fight run, Khalil Rountree had lost consecutive fights to Ion Cutelaba and Marcin Prachnio.

• Age: 33;
• Height: 6’ 1”;
• Reach: 76.5”;
• Record: 12-5-2 (NC)

Anthony Smith is a 2.87 underdog to upset the streaking Khalil Rountree Jr. on Bet365. The grappler Smith to win by submission is 6.50 on Bet365. Rountree is 1.64 to finish the veteran by KO/TKO on 1XBET; by decision, it is 6 odds. Betwinner has yes to the start of round 3 at 2.5 odds and No to the fight, getting to the third round at 1.52 odds.