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Khalil Rountree Out of UFC 303 McGregor-Chandler Card After Taking Banned Substance

Andrew PetersMay 19, 2024

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 09: Khalil Rountree Jr. reacts after his knockout against Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Khalil Rountree will no longer be on the card to fight former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 303, per ESPN's Andreas Hill.

Rountree was removed from the co-main event fight after taking a banned substance. According to Rountree, he took the illegal substance unintentionally and self-reported the mistake to UFC senior vice president of anti-doping compliance Jeff Novitzky and vice president of anti-doping compliance Donna Marshall.

"I'm gutted to deliver this news to you all, but I will not be fighting at UFC 303 due to consuming a banned substance," Rountree wrote in an Instagram post. "I did not do this intentionally and I am doing everything I can to get this situation taken care of."

In his statement, Rountree made it clear he had no intention of cheating. He said he was given a blended supplement that contained the banned substance DHEA while using a personalized supplement service.

"I've provided them with all of the information to show that this was not a matter of cheating or to enhance performance," Rountree wrote. "My sincerest apologies to you all and to Jamahal for this unfortunate series of events."

Rountree was set to come into the fight having won his last five fights. He won his last two by knockout, taking down Chris Daukaus in August and beating Anthony Smith in December. Rountree, 34, has a 13-5 MMA record and is listed as the No. 8 light heavyweight fighter by UFC.

At this point, it remains unclear what kind of repercussions Rountree will face, but he will no longer be on the card at UFC 303. UFC also has not announced whether Hill would remain on the card for the June 29 event.