Tag: Khalil Rountree

Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

Khalil Rountree had nothing but respect for victorious opponent Alex Pereira following their title fight at UFC 307 this past weekend. The pair headlined Saturday’s pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, battling for the right to exit the Delta Center as UFC light heavyweight champion. Defending king “Poatan” was heavily favored to do so, having already […]

Continue Reading Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’  at MMA News.

Khalil Rountree had nothing but respect for victorious opponent Alex Pereira following their title fight at UFC 307 this past weekend.

The pair headlined Saturday’s pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, battling for the right to exit the Delta Center as UFC light heavyweight champion.

Defending king “Poatan” was heavily favored to do so, having already turned away threats to his reign from Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka this year. Rountree, though, turned out to be the Brazilian’s toughest test to date.

The challenger got off to a strong start, winning the opening two rounds on all three scorecards. But after getting on the board in round three, Pereira went to work in the fourth frame.

An onslaught of strikes left Rountree’s face swollen and bloodied, and Pereira was ultimately able to close the show in what marked his first taste of the championship rounds since capturing the middleweight crown almost two years ago.

Rountree Releases First Statement On UFC 307 Title Defeat

Soon after having his title ambitions stalled in the “Beehive State,” Rountree took to social media to reflect on the result and experience.

Following his failure to unseat Pereira, “The War Horse” paid tribute to “Poatan,” thanking the Brazilian for bringing out a “new version” of him at UFC 307.

“I didn’t win the title but I grew last night. @alexpoatanpereira thanks for helping me see that I’m ready to take on the world,” Rountree wrote. “You showed amazing skill, you brought out a version of me that I needed to experience. You’re the champ for a reason, much respect. But I now know what I am capable of.

“#saltlakecity you guys were amazing and gave me such a memorable experience. I appreciate all of the positive messages from everyone around the world. @danawhite @espn @espnmma and the entire @ufc staff, thanks for giving me a home, a place to have purpose and providing me with challenges to overcome,” Rountree continued. “Brazil ?? you guys have a strong champion, be proud. I will take time to heal from this, I’ll be back even better, it’s inevitable. I’m grateful. Never give up on yourself, always fight hard, uplift your communities and find ways to make the most out of life.”

It remains to be seen what lies ahead for Rountree, who was granted his first shot at title glory on MMA’s biggest stage from #8 in the rankings.

With that, an upset win would have marked the 34-year-old as the lowest-ranked fighter to capture gold in their division. And although that didn’t come to fruition, things initially looked promising through 10 minutes.

Continue Reading Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’  at MMA News.

Conor McGregor Wins Big with $1 Million Bet on UFC 307 Main Event KO Finish

Conor McGregor, Alex Pereira, Khalil Rountree Jr.UFC superstar Conor McGregor made a massive gamble on the UFC 307 main event between Alex Pereira and Khalil…

Conor McGregor, Alex Pereira, Khalil Rountree Jr.

UFC superstar Conor McGregor made a massive gamble on the UFC 307 main event between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr.

McGregor’s leap of faith paid off massively.

McGregor was supposed to make his UFC return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June. But, he withdrew from the event due to a toe injury, and his planned UFC comeback is indefinitely postponed.

As McGregor enjoys life away from the Octagon, he took in an eventful evening at UFC 307. Watching from afar, McGregor decided to place a $1 million wager on Pereira vs. Rountree ending inside the five-round distance.

Pereira vs. Rountree ended up being a bloody war for as long as the fight lasted. After Rountree gave Pereira some early-round troubles, Pereira put it on him in the later rounds, and eventually finished the action in Round 4.

McGregor, after winning the bet, took to social media to praise the UFC 307 main event fighters.

Conor McGregor banks big after Alex Pereira’s latest KO

Watch McGregor’s since-deleted video below.

“I AM PUTTING A MILLION U.S. DOWN ON A KO TAKING PLACE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER HERE IN THIS MAIN EVENT, @DuelbitsOdds are 1/5. A million wins back $200k. Let’s see…” McGregor said in a since-deleted tweet. (h/t talkSPORT)

McGregor then confirmed Pereira’s TKO win earned himself a $200k profit.

“$200k baby! THE RICH GET RICHER! Called it play by play! What a fighter, Poatan! Incredible!” McGregor said.

McGregor isn’t a stranger to placing massive wagers on fights. He’s bet big on boxing and MMA fights in recent years since his 2021 leg injury.

After securing a $200k profit, McGregor turns his attention to following up on a combat sports comeback. In the meantime, he continues to enjoy life away from the combat spotlight.

Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree in Bloody Brawl to Retain Light Heavyweight Title – UFC 307 Highlights

Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree in Bloody Brawl to Retain Light Heavyweight Title - UFC 307 HighlightsAlex Pereira did it again. Returning to the Octagon at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City for his third…

Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree in Bloody Brawl to Retain Light Heavyweight Title - UFC 307 Highlights

Alex Pereira did it again.

Returning to the Octagon at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City for his third title defense of 2024, ‘Poatan’ scored yet another highlight-reel knockout, though it didn’t come without a bit of adversity.

Alex Pereira

Squaring off with heavy-hitting contender Khalil Rountree, Pereira showed his opponent the proper respect throughout the first three rounds and even found himself on the wrong side of a few stinging shots and a near knockdown. However, it was just a matter of time before the Pereira took over. That moment came in the fourth round as he began to batter and bloody ‘The War Horse’ with a series of methodical strikes.

With 30 seconds to go in the penultimate round, Pereira unleashed a flurry of strikes against the fence that finally sent Rountree crashing to the canvas. With his face already busted up and his lead leg compromised from a slew of calf kicks, referee Marc Goddard had finally seen enough, calling for the TKO stoppage.

Alex Pereira

Official Result: Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of Round 4.

Check out highlights from Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree at UFC 307:

‘That Is A Terrifying Man’ – Fans React As Alex Pereira Comes From Behind To Mangle Khalil Rountree With Strikes At UFC 307

Khalil Rountree brought a challenge, but Alex Pereira managed to bring out another legendary performance — comeback style this time — as he finished the challenger to retain the UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 307. Rountree got off to a strong start with his activity, landing singular shots and doing […]

Continue Reading ‘That Is A Terrifying Man’ – Fans React As Alex Pereira Comes From Behind To Mangle Khalil Rountree With Strikes At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Khalil Rountree brought a challenge, but Alex Pereira managed to bring out another legendary performance — comeback style this time — as he finished the challenger to retain the UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 307.

Rountree got off to a strong start with his activity, landing singular shots and doing a good job of getting away from the fence. Pereira was doing work with leg kicks, but he found himself in some trouble in the second round. “The War Horse” rocked “Poatan” with a strong right hook and followed that up by landing a big head kick.

Rountree, however, appeared to be gassed by this point. Pereira, sensing a tired out foe, picked things back up in the third frame. The Brazilian worked his jab and landed combinations, finding openings and busting up Rountree’s nose.

Pereira’s output increased greatly in the fourth round, as he poured it on and continued to damage his challenger — to the point his nose may have been broken.

“The War Horse” tried to survive, but with blood pouring down his rocked body, Pereira landed a combination with a pair of body shots that dropped him, bringing the fight to a stop.

Alex Pereira Puts On Battering To Finish Khalil Rountree In Fourth Round At UFC 307

Moving up to light heavyweight last year after his middleweight title run came to an end, Pereira captured the then-vacant championship with a win over Ji?í Procházka at UFC 295. He then defended the title this year against Jamahal Hill and Procházka at UFC 300 and 303, respectively.

Rountree, meanwhile, entered his first title challenge on a five-fight win streak. He had most recently fought in December, scoring a finish of Anthony Smith.

Continue Reading ‘That Is A Terrifying Man’ – Fans React As Alex Pereira Comes From Behind To Mangle Khalil Rountree With Strikes At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Alex Pereira Promises Khalil Rountree Will ‘Feel The Pressure’ in Anticipated UFC 307 Title Fight

Alex PereiraAlex Pereira expects Khalil Rountree to feel the pressure as he enters the Octagon for his first title opportunity….

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira expects Khalil Rountree to feel the pressure as he enters the Octagon for his first title opportunity.

In a few short hours, ‘The War Horse’ will attempt to shock the world when he enters the main event spotlight at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. There, Rountree will square off with reigning and defending light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in a headliner that will surely have everyone on the edge of their seat.

Alex Pereira

While Pereira has been here plenty of times before, already competing in his sixth UFC title fight, it will be Rountree’s first chance to take home gold via an opportunity he never saw coming.

“I was under suspension for a self-reported, taking a banned substance that was given to me,” Rountree said on Demetrious Johnson’s podcast. So, I was dealing with that and kind of talking back and forth with the athletic commission, like, ‘Guys. What’s it looking like? Give me an idea, you know.’ The last time I spoke to the athletic commission the number that I heard was nine months, so [that meant] I won’t be able to fight until February.

“So, I’m like, ‘OK, whatever, swallow that, do whatever I gotta do with it,’ and I just continued to train. Then, on a random Wednesday, I get a phone call from UFC, [they said], ‘Hey, how’s your day going?’ I’m like, ‘Terrible’, because I was actually having probably the worst day. [Then they responded], ‘Well I got some good news for you, you’re fighting Alex [Pereira], October 5th for the title [in] Salt Lake City,’ and I just lost my mind, I was like, ‘No way.”

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With a win over Pereira, Rountree can add to a growing legacy of stunning upsets in The Crossroads of the West. Justin Gaethje’s second-round knockout of Dustin Poirier and Leon Edwards’ kick heard ’round the world both happened in Salt Lake City. Is Rountree primed to deliver another stunner in SLC?

Alex Pereira Suggests Pressure of the Moment may be too much for Rountree to handle

Perhaps, but ‘Poatan’ thinks the pressure of the moment will be undeniable and could very well lead to Rountree’s undoing.

“He’s a really dangerous guy, he’s coming here to win but the difference is I’ve been here many times, he’s been here [for] the first time,” Pereira said during the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday. “Tomorrow he’s gonna feel the pressure” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Alex Pereira

Rountree goes into UFC 307 riding a five-fight win streak, including a highlight-reel-worthy knockout against Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith in his last outing.

Pereira will attempt to successfully defend his light heavyweight title for the third time in 2024 after securing big wins over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and a second-round KO of Jiri Prochazka in their UFC 303 rematch two months later.

UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree 

UFC 307 took place tonight from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!  In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Khalil Rountree. While in the co-main event, Raquel Pennington looked to defend her women’s bantamweight title against former […]

Continue Reading UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree  at MMA News.

UFC 307 took place tonight from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Khalil Rountree. While in the co-main event, Raquel Pennington looked to defend her women’s bantamweight title against former champ Julianna Peña. 

UFC 307 Results: Main Card

  • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via TKO: R4, 4.32
  • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington via split decision (48-47×2, 47-48)
  • Bantamweight: Mario Bautista def. José Aldo via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
  • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland via TKO (injury stoppage): R1, 5.00 
  • Women’s Bantamweight: Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28) 

Preliminary Card

  • Welterweight: Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson via KO: R3, 2.17
  • Women’s Strawweight: Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)  
  • Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28×2, 27-30)  
  • Middleweight: César Almeida def. Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Early Preliminary Card

  • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission: R1, 1.35
  • Women’s Strawweight: Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
  • Welterweight: Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission: R1, 3.19

Preliminary Card Highlights

Court McGee def. Tim Means

Court McGee earned the first finish of UFC 307 with a rear-naked choke submission of Tim Means in the first round of their welterweight bout.

Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux

In this light heavyweight bout, Ryan Spann submitted Ovince Saint Preux with a guillotine choke early in the first round.

Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson

Joaquin Buckley kept his undefeated welterweight record in tact with a KO of Stephen Thompson in the third round.

Main Card Highlights

Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira

In this women’s bantamweight bout, Kayla Harrison earned her second UFC win with a unanimous decision against Ketlen Vieira.

Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland

After Kevin Holland sustained a rib injury, the ringside doctor deemed him unfit to fight and therefore Roman Dolidze was awarded a TKO win at the end of the first round.

Mario Bautista def. José Aldo

In this bantamweight bout, Mario Bautista got it done via split decision against José Aldo.

Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington

In the co-main event, Julianna Peña earned a split decision win against Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women’s bantamweight crown.

Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree

In the main event, Alex Pereira retained his light heavyweight title with a TKO of Khalil Rountree.

Continue Reading UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree  at MMA News.