UFC Fight Night returns on Saturday, June 21, 2025, featuring a compelling light heavyweight main event between former champion Jamahal Hill and dynamic striker Khalil Rountree Jr. The event marks the UFC's debut in Baku, Azerbaijan, taking place at the Baku Crystal Hall.
Both fighters are looking to rebound from recent setbacks: Hill is coming off a third-round TKO loss to Jiří Procházka at UFC 311, while Rountree Jr. suffered a fourth-round TKO defeat against Alex Pereira at UFC 307. This matchup presents an opportunity for each to reassert themselves in the title picture.
Current Moneyline Odds (via BetMGM sportsbook):
These odds suggest that Rountree Jr. has a 61.5% implied probability of winning, whereas Hill has a 43.5% chance.
The betting lines reflect Rountree Jr.'s recent performances and his explosive striking power, which has led to several knockout victories. Hill's underdog status may be attributed to his recent losses and questions surrounding his ability to withstand Rountree Jr.'s aggressive style.
Light Heavyweight Main Event | ||
Jamahal Hill 12-3-0 (1 NC) | Vs | Khalil Rountree Jr. 14-6-0 (1 NC) |
34 | Age | 35 |
6' 4" | Height | 6' 1" |
79 in | Reach | 76.5 in |
#4 | UFC Ranking (light heavyweight division) | #7 |
This is a collision of two very different weapons in the light heavyweight arsenal: Hill is the surgeon, precise, composed, and surgical with his long-range striking, while Rountree is the sledgehammer, swinging with terrifying force and bad intentions. Hill’s height and reach advantage sharpen his game plan of keeping opponents at the edge of his punches, but Rountree doesn’t ask for permission to enter range; he storms in with bursts of violence. Where Hill looks to disassemble over time, Rountree aims to decapitate early. It's elegance versus fury.
Jamahal Hill is no stranger to adversity. He has climbed back from injury and dethroned a legend to capture UFC gold. Though he fell short against Pereira, Hill remains one of the most precise and dangerous strikers in the division. Rountree brings power, no question, but Hill’s clean shot selection, composure under fire, and ability to dictate range make him a dangerous puzzle over 15 minutes.
In a fight that promises violence, Hill’s ability to manage chaos may be the difference.
Hill’s striking is built for five-round fights - sharp, efficient, and brutally accurate. Before running into Alex Pereira, he dismantled Glover Teixeira with over 200 significant strikes in a masterclass of distance control. Even in his title loss, Hill showed he can land clean even against the division’s elite.
His strength lies in neutralizing chaos. Against a brawler like Rountree, Hill can keep the fight long, pick his shots, and punish entries. If he survives the early storm, expect him to chip away with jabs, elbows, and kicks until the pressure adds up.
“I'm going in to dominate and put him away. This is what I train for and that's what I focus on every fight. It's the same. It don't switch up for me. It's just I'm looking for dominance and I'm looking to get a finish.” – Jamahal Hill, via Bodog Canada.
Technically sound and mentally sharp, Hill can use Rountree’s aggression against him and find the finish once fatigue starts creeping in.
If Hill is a scalpel, Rountree is a sledgehammer. He doesn’t just win, he devastates. His finishes of Karl Roberson and Modestas Bukauskas weren’t just knockouts; they were statements. In recent outings, Rountree has shown improved patience, but the violence is still there, lurking behind every feint.
“I think it’s a great main event for people to watch. You got two big strikers going in there, and I’m ready. I’m glad that the UFC called me. I’ve been training a lot, I’ve learned from my mistakes in the Alex fight, and just went right back to work.” – Khalil Rountree Jr., via The MMA Hour.
Against Hill, the path is clear: close the distance, force trades, and make it ugly. Hill’s reach is a problem, but Rountree doesn’t mind getting hit if it means landing one of his own. If he connects clean early, it might not take a second try.
This fight could end with a single punch on either side. But over three rounds, Hill’s superior range management, accuracy, and composure give him the edge. Rountree will be dangerous in the first five minutes, but if Hill can weather the early danger, expect him to turn the tide in Round 2 and seal it with a clinical finish in the third.
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This is one of those rare matchups where the oddsmakers have it close, and the paths to victory are clearly defined. Rountree is the slight favorite, but the value may lie with Hill depending on how the lines move this week.
Both men bring finishing ability, and neither is known for grinding decisions. Rountree has 9 KO wins, and Hill has 7 of his 12 wins by knockout. With aggressive southpaws on both sides, it’s hard to see this one going to the scorecards.
Recommended Bet: Fight Ends Inside the Distance
Hill’s precision striking and length could be the perfect tools to defuse Rountree’s blitzes. If he survives the early pressure, his ability to land clean over time could wear Rountree down.
Value Pick: Hill by KO/TKO (Rounds 2 or 3)
If you’re backing Rountree, early is likely best. He’s most dangerous in the opening minutes, and Hill’s recent KO loss to Pereira suggests his chin could still be a question mark.
High-Risk Play: Rountree by KO in Round 1
Books may open this at 1.5 or 2.5. If it’s 1.5, the over could be sneaky value - Hill is generally patient early and takes time to find rhythm, while Rountree has shown more composure in recent fights.
Smart Angle: Over 1.5 Rounds
This is a stylistic clash that lends itself to volatility, perfect for prop hunting. If you’re looking for a safer angle, inside-the-distance or KO props are cleaner than picking a winner. But if you're backing one side, Hill has the technical upside, while Rountree has the bigger moment-making potential.
As always, line shop, manage your units and remember, in a fight like this, one clean shot changes everything.
vs | Weight Class | ||
Jamahal Hill | vs | Khalil Rountree Jr. | Light Heavyweight |
Rafael Fiziev | vs | Ignacio Bahamondes | Lightweight |
Tofiq Musayev | vs | Myktybek Orolbai | Lightweight |
Curtis Blaydes | vs | Rizvan Kuniev | Heavyweight |
Nazim Sadykhov | vs | Nikolas Motta | Lightweight |
Muhammad Naimov | vs | Bogdan Grad | Featherweight |
vs | Weight Class | ||
Tagir Ulanbekov | vs | Azat Maksum | Flyweight |
Ismail Naurdiev | vs | Park Jun-yong | Middleweight |
Melissa Mullins | vs | Daria Zhelezniakova | Women's Bantamweight |
Hamdy Abdelwahab | vs | Mohammed Usman | Heavyweight |
Seokhyeon Ko | vs | Oban Elliott | Welterweight |
Irina Alekseeva | vs | Klaudia Syguła | Women's Bantamweight |
According to current betting lines, Khalil Rountree Jr. is the slight favourite to win. He's listed around –160, while Jamahal Hill is the underdog around +130
The event will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan
Prelims: starting at 12:00 PM Eastern, available on UFC Fight Pass or ESPN+
Main Card: starting at 3:00 PM Eastern, streaming exclusively on ESPN+
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