Despite a slow, concerning start, Jiri Prochazka came from behind to produce a wild third round with Khalil Rountree Jr., where he scored a wild knockout at UFC 320.
The two opened the fight cautiously, very well aware of the power the other possesses, especially when it comes to kicks. A couple of minutes into the fight, Rountree briefly stunned Prochazka with a left hand before starting to target the body and work leg kicks. Prochazka tagged Rountree with a jumping knee, only for Rountree to answer with a couple of wild punches. Rountree tagged Prochazka with another combination before the end of the first. The two went back at it in the second round, with Prochazka seemingly still off balance and lacking in his usual movement. Rountree continued to flash his power, getting Prochazka to react, even if not all of his shots landed.
The two swung away in the third round, with Prochazka trying to bring pressure against Rountree's punches. Prochazka managed to land his punches well on Rountree, busting up one of Rountree's eyes and gassing him out. Rountree attempted to recover with some clinching, but it wasn't enough, as Prochazka dropped Rountree with a left hand to put him out cold and score the comeback knockout victory with just under two minutes left in the fight.
Jiri Prochazka Scores Come-From-Behind KO Of Khalil Rountree Jr.
Both men entered this fight off victories over Jamahal Hill, both coming after unsuccessful title shots against Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight title.
Prochazka finished Hill at UFC 311 in January, while Rountree won a one-sided decision at UFC Baku in June.
Should Magomed Ankalaev retain against Pereira later tonight, it's possible this win could lead to Prochazka scoring another crack at the UFC light heavyweight title.