Rountree Reflects on 'Humbling' Treigning Lab Training

The UFC light heavyweight contender says workouts at Khamzat Chimaev's gym have been eye-opening.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:25pm

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UFC light heavyweight Khalil Rountree has been training at The Treigning Lab, the strength and conditioning facility that has worked with elite fighters like Khamzat Chimaev. Rountree revealed that the training sessions at The Treigning Lab have been a 'humbling' experience, making him realize there is still much more work to be done to reach his full potential.

Why it matters

The Treigning Lab has become known as one of the premier training facilities for top UFC fighters. Rountree's comments highlight the demanding nature of the workouts at the lab and the high standards expected even of elite athletes like himself.

The details

Rountree (14-7) said the training sessions at The Treigning Lab have been 'painful' at times, causing him to 'question certain things' about his own fitness level. Despite considering himself in good shape, Rountree said the workouts have been 'eye-opening' and made him realize 'there's so much more to go' in his development as a fighter.

  • Rountree has been training at The Treigning Lab to help Khamzat Chimaev prepare for his upcoming UFC middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026.

The players

Khalil Rountree

A UFC light heavyweight contender with a 14-7 professional record.

The Treigning Lab

A strength and conditioning facility that has trained elite UFC fighters like Khamzat Chimaev.

Khamzat Chimaev

An undefeated UFC middleweight fighter who is the current champion and set to defend his title against Sean Strickland.

Sean Strickland

A UFC middleweight fighter with a 30-7 professional record, who is challenging Chimaev for the title.

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What they’re saying

“It was painful. There were definitely moments where I would call them humbling because it makes me question certain things that I even say about myself. Sometimes I think I'm really good or in good shape, and then I face a workout like this, and it makes me realize that there's so much more to go. And so it's eye-opening.”

— Khalil Rountree, UFC Light Heavyweight Fighter

What’s next

Rountree will continue training at The Treigning Lab to help Khamzat Chimaev prepare for his upcoming UFC middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland on May 9, 2026.

The takeaway

Even elite UFC fighters like Khalil Rountree can find the training regimen at The Treigning Lab to be extremely demanding, highlighting the high standards and intense workouts that have made the facility a go-to destination for top fighters looking to take their skills to the next level.