Anthony Smith vs. Khalil Rountree Jr 12/9/23 – On December 9th, 2023, two talented light heavyweights will clash inside the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 233. Lionheart Anthony Smith takes on the dangerous Khalil Rountree Jr. in a fight that promises MMA free picks and exciting action from start to finish. With high finishing rates and vicious power, both men have the ability to end this fight at a moment’s notice. This match promises not only high-intensity action but also an opportunity to witness two seasoned fighters battle for supremacy.
Anthony Smith vs. Khalil Rountree Jr 12/9/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Anthony “Lionheart” Smith Analysis
Anthony Smith is an extremely well-rounded fighter with excellent boxing and a dangerous submission game. He lands 3.16 significant strikes per minute with 48% accuracy, while only absorbing 4.45 per minute. His striking defense of 46% is solid for a light heavyweight. Smith’s grappling statistics may not pop off the page, but his sneaky trips and ability to capitalize on the smallest openings result in a respectable 28% takedown accuracy.
Once the fight hits the mat, Smith turns into an absolute savage, hunting for chokes and arm locks. He averages 0.7 submissions per 15 minutes, an alarming rate at 205 pounds. Experience is another asset for Lionheart, having gone five rounds four times against top competition like Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira.
In his last fight, Smith displayed intelligent cage craft, picking his shots on the feet before dragging a tired Spann to the canvas and locking up a rear naked choke midway through round two. It was a vintage Smith performance, blending his technical boxing with opportunistic grappling.
Khalil Rountree Jr. Analysis
Khalil Rountree Jr. will stand across the cage as the younger, quicker, and more powerful athlete. He lands thunderous leg kicks from his southpaw stance, bruising up lead legs at an incredible pace. Rountree’s hands are just as dangerous, hurting foes with nasty straight lefts down the pipe.
While his output of 3.73 significant strikes per minute is solid, Rountree’s accuracy of 38% leaves something to be desired. He also absorbs his fair share of punishment, giving up 4.16 significant strikes per minute at only a 50% defensive rate. This penchant for recklessly trading shots provides opportunities for the craftier Smith to exploit.
Wrestling has traditionally been a weak spot for Rountree, but his takedown defense has improved to a respectable 56% over recent outings. Still, he wants no part of Smith on the mat, making it imperative for Rountree to maintain distance and keep exchanges short.
In his last fight, Rountree looked outstanding, dominating Daukaus for vicious knockout victory.It was a mature, focused performance from Rountree, displaying the ability to implement an intelligent game plan. He will need to manage another smart pace and game plan on December 9th if he hopes to replicate that winning formula against the tough Smith.
Anthony Smith vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. Stats
| Smith | Rountree Jr. | |
| Wins/Losses/Draws | 37-18-0 | 13-5-0 (1 NC) |
| Average Fight Time | 9:55 | 7:37 |
| Height | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 1″ |
| Weight | 205 lbs. | 205 lbs. |
| Reach | 76″ | 76″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Strikes Landed per Min. | 3.16 | 3.73 |
| Striking Accuracy | 48% | 38% |
| Strikes Absorbed per Min. | 4.45 | 4.16 |
| Defense | 46% | 50% |
| Takedowns Average/15 min. | 0.52 | 0.00 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 28% | 0% |
| Takedown Defense | 48% | 56% |
| Submission Average/15 min. | 0.7 | 0.1 |
Anthony Smith vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. Betting Pick
Considering the contrasting styles and statistics of both fighters, my pick for this UFC Fight Night 233 bout is Khalil Rountree Jr. Despite Smith’s experience and submission skills, Rountree’s striking power and ability to maintain a higher strike rate per minute are likely to give him the upper hand in a stand-up battle. Additionally, Rountree’s solid takedown defense could neutralize Smith’s grappling attempts. Therefore, the prediction, based on analysis, leans towards a victory for Khalil Rountree Jr.
Free Pick: Khalil Rountree Jr. -225
In summary, this match-up is a classic striker vs. experienced fighter scenario, with Khalil Rountree Jr.’s striking prowess expected to challenge Anthony Smith’s more versatile but defensively vulnerable style. While Smith’s experience and submission skills are notable, Rountree’s striking ability and resilience in stand-up exchanges are likely to be decisive factors. For a premium prediction, Rountree’s dangerous striking presents good value as a likely path to victory against the defensively liable Smith. This exciting Light Heavyweight bout promises fireworks either way.