Outlook: Rountree Jr. didn’t just fight valiantly against Procházka. The American was up on the scorecards through two rounds before succumbing to Procházka’s pressure and power. Once again, however, Rountree Jr. proved he has the goods to hang with the best at 205 pounds, and he has plenty of options to cement his spot in the rankings. Whether it’s fighting backwards against Reyes, Aleksandar Rakic, or Azamat Murzakanov or fighting a former champion in Błachowicz or Ankalaev, Rountree Jr. still has plenty of big-time fights ahead of him.
In the Mix: Dominick Reyes, Azamat Murzakanov
Outlook: Although Reyes saw his momentum snapped in Australia, the former title challenger did well enough in the last 12 months to reestablish himself as a real player in the division. Once he decides to return, fights against Rountree Jr. and a rematch against Błachowicz make sense if he does try to fight up the ladder. He could also defend his spot against the oncoming Azamat Murzakanov, the undefeated and underrated Russian. “The Professional” is 5-0 with four finishes since scoring his contract via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. A dark horse, he needs a marquee name to fight and prove himself a force in the title picture.
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