Khalil Rountree Jr. will NOT shoot for a takedown at UFC 307.
Reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, however, may have no choice after feeling the power of the 205-pound “War Horse.” That’s according to coach John Wood, who expects “Poatan” to be diving for the legs when the fists start flying.
Their UFC 307 headliner takes place on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City.
“I believe, honestly, my gut, I think Pereira shoots on Khalil,” Wood told ESPN MMA. “I think he’s the one that breaks game first and shoots on Khalil to try to get that takedown. That’s actually something he has done. I mean, we ain’t shooting over here, I can tell you that. Khalil can — it’s not like we don’t train MMA or wrestling, but I think Alex shoots first. I would be shocked if this fight goes five rounds, someone is going out on their shield, it’s gonna happen.”
“Poatan” scored his one-and-only takedown against Israel Adesanya at UFC 281.
Pereira (11-2) has been nothing short of unstoppable since migrating to the 205-pound weight class back in early 2023. The heavy-handed Brazilian is coming off three straight knockout victories over Jiri Prochazka (twice) and Jamahal Hill.
Rountree (13-5, 1 NC), meanwhile, is the winner of five straight, with four of those contests ending by way of knockout. That includes his UFC Vegas 83 destruction of one-time title challenger Anthony Smith as part of UFC Vegas 83 back in late 2023.
Pereira remains the odds-on betting favorite.