Khalil Rountree clear to fight Alex Pereira at UFC 307, suspension resolved
Khalil Rountree can officially put his recent drug-test suspension behind him.
At a Thursday meeting of the Nevada Athletic Commission, it was ruled that Rountree’s suspension has been settled at 4 1⁄2 months, retroactive to the failed drug test that forced him to withdraw from a bout with Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 this past June. That means Rountree is clear for his scheduled title fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, which takes place at UFC 307 on Oct. 5.
Rountree self-reported his failed test, which was for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone. At the time, Rountree stated that he “was using a personalized, tailored supplement service” and that said service accidentally supplied him with “a blended supplement” that contained the banned substance.
In addition to the suspension, which officially ends on Sept. 18, Rountree is required to pay prosecution fees of $157. The commission noted that Rountree’s self-report played a significant part in the fighter not receiving a stiffer penalty.
Rountree was on the call for Thursday’s NAC meeting and he expressed gratitude to the commission for how his case was handled.
Pereira vs. Rountree serves as the main event of UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. “Poatan” seeks his third defense of the light heavyweight title, while Rountree enters the contest on a career-best five-fight winning streak.