UFC ON ESPN 51: Khalil Rountree Jr. vs Chris Daukaus 08/12/2023 Fight Odds, Predictions and Preview

UFC ON ESPN 51: Rountree Jr. vs Daukaus 08/12/2023 – Light heavyweight fighters Khalil Rountree Jr. and Chris Daukaus clash in a three-round battle that could affect the division’s rankings moving forward. The fight is slated on Saturday, August 12. It is part of the UFC on ESPN 51 main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thirteenth-ranked light heavyweight contender Rountree stakes his three-fight winning streak against Daukaus, who dropped down in weight to debut in the 205-pound division. A win would move Rountree closer to a possible shot at the title. On the other hand, Daukaus, ranked 14th in the heavyweight category, looks to arrest his three-fight losing skid as he makes his first match in the light heavyweight class. MMA oddsmakers see Rountree as the favorite in this encounter as he looks to extend his winning streak.

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Main Card

Khalil Rountree Jr.

Rountree (11-5, 1 NC; 7-5, 1 NC UFC) is on a roll lately, winning his last three fights over Modestas Bukauskas, Karl Roberson and Dustin Jacoby. He has showcased knockout ability with two Performance of the Night bonuses against Roberson and Gokhan Saki. The streak has elevated the Los Angeles native to No13 in the light heavyweight ranks. Rountree will look to extend his streak with a win over Daukaus and boost his contendership status in the 205-pound class. Although he is an inch shorter, he holds a half-inch advantage in reach. The American has seven finishes in his career, all of them by knockout.

Rountree has landed 3.67 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 38% in his UFC career. His striking defense rate is 50% and absorbed 4.19 significant strikes per minute. In terms of grappling, the American has not been successful in his takedown attempts but has stopped 54% of the takedowns launched against him. He has averaged 0.14 submissions per minute in his 13 matches in the UFC.

Chris Daukaus

Daukaus (12-6, 4-3 UFC) started his UFC career in the heavyweight division in August 2020 after going 7-3 in the independent circuit. He started strong in the octagon with four consecutive wins against Porter, Nascimento, Oleinik, and Abdurakhimov. His wins over Nascimento, Oleinik and Abdurakhimov netted him Performance of the Night post-fight bonuses. In his attempt to make it five in a row, he ran into Derrick Lewis and lost via first-round knockout. Instead of bouncing back from that stunning defeat, Daukaus fell into a deeper hole as he succumbed to knockout losses to Curtis Blaydes and Jairzhinho Rozenstruik. The losses have forced him to go down in weight and try out the light heavyweight division. However, he will have to face Rountree who has won his last three fights.

Daukaus has 11 finishes in his career, all of them by knockout. His forte is striking and has been great at it. He has landed 6.41 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 50%. His striking defense rate is 57% and absorbed 4.48 significant strikes per minute. Daukaus remains untaken down in his fights, yet hasn’t secured a takedown or submission in his UFC career. He needs to step up his cardio in his new weight class as he has only lasted an average of three minutes and 15 seconds inside the cage.