MMA Guru sided with Khalil Roundtree Jr. to upset Jamahal Hill, citing two key edges: punishing calf-kicks against Hill’s predictable bounce rhythm and the health/timing disparity between the light heavyweights. Guru noted Hill is barely five months removed from a brutal TKO loss to Jiri Prochazka that broke his nose, yet he re-entered camp almost immediately to keep this booking after an initial postponement. Roundtree, on the other hand, absorbed his own beating from Alex Pereira last September but enjoyed a full nine-month recovery window. Guru believes Hill’s wide stance makes him an inviting target for inside-and-outside low kicks that will sap his forward pressure by the second round. Once Hill’s mobility is compromised, Roundtree’s hand speed and Thai-style rhythm combinations should dictate exchanges. While acknowledging Hill’s underrated boxing could flip the script if he bullies forward early, Guru ultimately projects Roundtree to accumulate enough damage to either earn a late stoppage or at minimum a 29-28 decision, making Roundtree ML and Roundtree KO/TKO live dogs.

Dan Tom acknowledged his long-time friendship with Khalil Rountree Jr. but said the tape still forces him to the Rountree side at –120. He highlighted Jamahal Hill’s chronic vulnerability to left hands—Hill has absorbed 62 of 79 significant strikes from the southpaw stance in his last two fights—and his near-nonexistent leg-kick defense (opponents land 78 % of attempts to the lead thigh). Tom argued that in a southpaw-southpaw matchup the fighter with the better lead hand usually wins, and Rountree’s telephone-pole jab and violent check hook have improved markedly since moving his camps to Thailand. He expects Rountree to puncture Hill’s lead leg early, forcing stationary exchanges where Rountree’s 4.67 significant strikes landed per minute and 62 % power-shot ratio translate into fight-ending damage. Tom’s official bet card includes Rountree moneyline, with a sprinkle on "Rountree by KO/TKO" at +180, citing Hill’s plodding footwork and lingering Achilles concerns as additional catalysts.

Madlab Michael Lurato said he is doubling down on Khalil Rountree Jr., this time specifying a fourth- or fifth-round knockout. Lurato believes Jamahal Hill is carrying serious mental baggage after back-to-back losses and an Achilles tear. He questioned whether Hill still trusts his lead leg or his chin, noting that Hill’s 43 % striking-defense rate and historically slow trigger (only 8.4 strike attempts per minute over his last two bouts versus 11.6 earlier in his career) have worsened since the injury. Madlab added that Hill’s recent tendency to fight “not to lose” will be fatal against Rountree’s unpredictable Muay Thai rhythm and 75 % career finish rate. He advised bettors to play either Rountree Moneyline (around –125) or Rountree Round 4/5 & KO props for plus-money, anticipating that Hill’s cardio and confidence fade in the championship frames.

Madlab Michael Lurato sided with Khalil Rountree at ‑125 and even sprinkled the KO prop. He contrasted Hill’s slick but predictable boxing combinations with Rountree’s "herky-jerky" Muay Thai rhythms developed in Thailand. That unpredictable cadence, coupled with 4.3 significant strikes landed per minute at a 62 % power-shot rate, makes Rountree difficult to time—especially for another southpaw who normally trains for orthodox looks. Hill has struggled to read unorthodox movement before (0-1-1 in southpaw-southpaw matchups), and Madlab believes the punches you don’t see are the ones that sleep you. Given Rountree’s 75 % finish rate and Hill’s 43 % striking defense, he expects Rountree to find a mid-fight knockout, recommending either the straight moneyline or Rountree Inside-the-Distance at plus money.

Gumby faded Jamahal Hill and sided with Khalil Rountree Jr. He noted Hill has been violently finished in back-to-back outings by Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka—both inside two rounds—exposing porous defense (absorbs 4.00 sig-strikes per minute). Rountree, by contrast, went toe-to-toe with Pereira for two rounds and actually stole one on the cards before a late stoppage. Gumby called Hill a ‘one-speed brawler’ who struggles versus technical southpaws; Rountree’s Thai-style body kicks and left-hand counters should find the midsection easily. With Rountree carrying a +0.55 knockdown-rate and Hill’s chin trending downward, Gumby expects the Warhorse to land something mean and get Hill out of there inside 15 minutes.