Khalil Rountree

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

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

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.

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.”

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).

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.

UFC 307: Alex Pereira Explains why the UFC passed on Magomed Ankalaev in place of Khalil Rountree

Poatan’ Alex Pereira, the current UFC light heavyweight world champion, will look to defend his crown at UFC 307…

Poatan’ Alex Pereira, the current UFC light heavyweight world champion, will look to defend his crown at UFC 307 against the top ten-ranked Khalil Rountree instead of the higher-ranked top contender Magomed Ankalaev. Speaking in an interview with the UFC’s Daniel Cormier, the Brazilian striker explained it all.

Alex Pereira

Brail’s Alex Pereira was a former two-division world champion in kickboxing before transitioning to MMA. Since then, he has earned UFC gold in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. ‘Poatan’ is well known to fans due to his stunning knockouts, whether it be by head kick or left hook. He holds the UFC light heavyweight crown and will look to defend it on October 5 against Khalil Rountree.

The US-born Khalil Rountree got the nod as the top contender for UFC 307 against Pereira, despite coming off of a PED suspension. However, he was on an impressive string of wins including a stunning KO against former top contender Anthony Smith. He will enter the fight with his signature Muay Thai base style of striking.

Magomed Ankalaev

The Russian Magomed Ankalaev is top-ranked in the UFC’s light heavyweight division and fought for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Jan Blachowicz. Since then, he has picked up a knockout win against Johnny Walker and will soon face Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308. But going from the top contender to just another fighter in the division, despite not losing, opened the doors to many questions from some fans and Ankalaev himself.

UFC 307

The Brazilian-born ‘Poatan‘ Alex Pereira sat down in an interview with UFC personality, Daniel Cormier and addressed why the UFC would pass over Magomed Ankalaev. He said:

“The UFC presented this fight [against Rountree]. I cannot say I don’t know why the UFC didn’t put this guy [Ankaleev] in the fight because I do know. It’s because he’s boring. He puts on boring fights, so he’s not the first pick of the UFC.” [Ht Sportskeeda]

UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner for Main Event

Fight fans tuning into UFC 307 this weekend are expecting to see a high-stakes striking clash in Saturday night’s main event. Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will meet the division’s other most ruthless fight finisher when he defends the title against Khalil Rountree. A lot has been made about how neither man is going to […]

Continue Reading UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner for Main Event at MMA News.

Fight fans tuning into UFC 307 this weekend are expecting to see a high-stakes striking clash in Saturday night’s main event.

Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will meet the division’s other most ruthless fight finisher when he defends the title against Khalil Rountree.

A lot has been made about how neither man is going to look to grapple in this fight, given their specialist styles.

Rountree hasn’t attempted a single takedown during his UFC career, and Pereira has only shot for one, which was against fellow striking specialist Israel Adesanya.

However, someone who knows the champion’s game well believes that if needed, Pereira could shock the world with his developing skill set.

Renato Valente Says Alex Pereira Could Submit Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

Anyone betting money on a submission in this fight, particularly from “Poatan”, is sure to get some stellar odds.

Renato Valente, who is a training partner of Pereira’s, believes this possibility is worth considering before the main event gets underway.

In a recent interview with The Scrap, Valente predicted that the champ could retain his belt via his first-ever submission win.

“I’m really confident in that. Definitely, everyone expects a KO from Alex. Really, I can see that, dream about it. If I close my eyes, I can see it, but also, I can see Alex submitting him. I think that’s something to consider if you want to bet, you can put it there.”

Valente went on to give his own estimation of the odds of Pereira finishing Rountree by knockout or submission.

“KO for Alex or submission, let’s say 70:30 this time. 70% chance for a KO, 30% for a submission.”

Continue Reading UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner for Main Event at MMA News.

UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results

UFC 307 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results! After staging an event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere last month, the mixed martial arts leader is back in Utah for its latest numbered card, which goes down inside Salt Lake City’s Delta Center. Two […]

Continue Reading UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

UFC 307 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

After staging an event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere last month, the mixed martial arts leader is back in Utah for its latest numbered card, which goes down inside Salt Lake City’s Delta Center.

Two titles will be on the line at the top of the card, with Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree and Raquel Pennington staking the women’s bantamweight gold opposite Julianna Peña.

Also on the main card will be returns for UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and fan favorite Kevin Holland.

UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Weigh-In Results

UFC 307 takes place Saturday, October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

See above for a replay of the UFC 307 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!

Main Card:

Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (205lbs) vs. Khalil Rountree (205lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington (135lbs) vs. Julianna Peña (134.5lbs)
Bantamweight: José Aldo (136lbs) vs. Mario Bautista (136lbs)
Middleweight: Roman Dolidze (185.5lbs) vs. Kevin Holland (185.5lbs)
Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira (136lbs) vs. Kayla Harrison (136lbs)

Preliminary Card:

Welterweight: Stephen Thompson (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170.5lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez (115.5lbs) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (116lbs)
Lightweight: Austin Hubbard (156lbs) vs. Alexander Hernandez (156lbs)
Middleweight: César Almeida (185.5lbs) vs. Ihor Potieria (185.5lbs)

Early Preliminary Card:

Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (205.5lbs) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza (115.5lbs) vs. Tecia Pennington (115lbs)
Welterweight: Court McGee (170lbs) vs. Tim Means (171lbs)

Continue Reading UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More

UFC 307 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup. The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, October 5, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at […]

Continue Reading UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More at MMA News.

UFC 307 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, October 5, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of surprise challenger Khalil Rountree if he’s to record a third successful title defense in 2024.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see Raquel Pennington making her first defense of the bantamweight gold. Nine months on from her crowning, “Rocky” will meet a familiar face in fellow TUF 18 competitor Julianna Peña, a former champ who is returning from a two-year layoff.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and the always entertaining Kevin Holland.

Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 307 main card here.

UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 307 (as of 10/4), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

Alex Pereira (-455) vs. Khalil Rountree (+350)
Raquel Pennington (-166) vs. Julianna Peña (+140)
José Aldo (+124) vs. Mario Bautista (-148)
Roman Dolidze (+130) vs. Kevin Holland (-155)
Ketlen Vieira (+700) vs. Kayla Harrison (-1100)

Preliminary Card:

Stephen Thompson (+180) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-218)
Marina Rodriguez (+164) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-198)
Austin Hubbard (+130) vs. Alexander Hernandez (-155)
César Almeida (-380) vs. Ihor Potieria (+300)

Early Preliminary Card:

Ryan Spann (-245) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (+200)
Carla Esparza (+150) vs. Tecia Pennington (-180)
Court McGee (+164) vs. Tim Means (-198)

Continue Reading UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More at MMA News.