Tag: Khalil Rountree

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challenger Picks Between Alex Pereira & Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

The main event of UFC 307 sees the return of one of the biggest stars in the sport today, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. “Poatan” has put on some incredible striking displays since moving up to 205-pounds and that’s sure to be the case once again in Salt Lake City this weekend. His challenger, Khalil […]

Continue Reading Former UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challenger Picks Between Alex Pereira & Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 at MMA News.

The main event of UFC 307 sees the return of one of the biggest stars in the sport today, light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

“Poatan” has put on some incredible striking displays since moving up to 205-pounds and that’s sure to be the case once again in Salt Lake City this weekend.

His challenger, Khalil Rountree, is also used to stopping his opponents with strikes when he steps inside the Octagon.

We’re sure to get a high-level game of violent chess when these two ruthless fight finishers collide this Saturday night at the Delta Center.

Volkan Oezdemir Backs Alex Pereira To Retain The Title This Weekend At UFC 307

In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir gave his quick thoughts on the main event match-up.

Oezdemir fought for the title back in 2018, coming up short against Daniel Cormier after securing three big wins in the division to get a championship opportunity.

“No Time” is currently ranked at #6 following back-to-back wins and could be back in the title picture if he’s able to stop the winning streak of Carlos Ulberg next month.

He believes that the belt will stay with “Poatan” this weekend because he’s the more efficient and polished striker of the two.

“I think Pereira for me is gonna take it. Rountree is dangerous but I think is a little bit too wild, you know, hooks and stuff. Pereira is more complete but it’s tough, it’s not going to go to the ground for sure. It’s going to be a war.”

Oezdemir was also asked about Rountree’s game plan of standing and striking with Pereira, which he also believes makes the fight harder for the challenger.

“Of course you want to go in the best department and I think the ground is the easiest way to take Alex Pereira.”

Read also: Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ‘Brewing’ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

Continue Reading Former UFC Light Heavyweight Title Challenger Picks Between Alex Pereira & Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ‘Brewing’ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

According to Chael Sonnen, all boxes needed for a major upset are being ticked ahead of the UFC 307 main event. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back in Utah this week to stage its latest pay-per-view from Salt Lake City’s Delta Center. Two championship clashes are set to headline, with light heavyweight kingpin Alex […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ‘Brewing’ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 at MMA News.

According to Chael Sonnen, all boxes needed for a major upset are being ticked ahead of the UFC 307 main event.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back in Utah this week to stage its latest pay-per-view from Salt Lake City’s Delta Center. Two championship clashes are set to headline, with light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira closing the show.

Having defended his gold successfully against both Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka thus far this year, “Poatan’s” reign will next meet the threat of a surprise challenger in the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree.

Many questioned the booking, suggesting the UFC avoided giving Magomed Ankalaev a deserved shot in order to keep Pereira’s ball rolling with another striking matchup.

But for Sonnen, that line of thinking is among many reasons why he thinks an upset is “brewing” at UFC 307…

Sonnen: Pereira vs. Rountree Has All The Makings Of An Upset

During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen looked ahead to the upcoming PPV main event in Utah.

While Pereira will enter as a heavy favorite given his winning form in 2024 to date, “The American Gangster” suggested that some differences in the narratives leading up to his latest defense could present a major threat to his reign.

“This fight card has the potential to be the one. You wanna know why, Daniel? It is brewing for an upset,” Sonnen said. “I’m not giving you a prediction, but I’m telling you now, everything that could be wrong for Pereira in terms of the commonalities that everyone that’s ever been upset has faced — finding yourself in a match that’s harder than the audience knows, finding yourself in a match that’s more dangerous than you’re aware, finding yourself in a match where this guy’s gonna play your game.

“I’m not arguing that Khalil is cleaner or more talented of a kickboxer than Pereira,” Sonnen continued. “But I will argue for you, Pereira can hit you one time and put you down, Khalil only has to hit him one time and Khalil will put him down.”

Rountree will be hoping that Sonnen is correct and those apparent pre-fight factors pave the way for his shock crowning in Salt Lake City this weekend.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ‘Brewing’ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307 at MMA News.

VIDEO: UFC 307 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree & Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña

Fight week for the UFC 307 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode. Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree and the co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña. Saturday’s lineup is topped by an intriguing championship clash, with […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: UFC 307 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree & Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña at MMA News.

Fight week for the UFC 307 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree and the co-main event between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña.

Saturday’s lineup is topped by an intriguing championship clash, with light heavyweight kingpin Pereira (11-2) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a victory over Ji?í Procházka at UFC 295 in November 2023. He’s since retained possession of the belt by getting the better of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 this past April and Procházka in their short-notice UFC 303 rematch.

If “Poatan” is to continue his rule atop the 205-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Rountree (13-5, 1 NC). “The War Horse” will ride a five-fight win streak into his first title shot on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage, most notably getting the better of former championship challenger Anthony Smith in brutal fashion last time out.

Before those two run it back in the main event at Salt Lake City’s Delta Center, one of three women’s titles in the UFC will be at stake.

The women’s bantamweight gold will be contested by current champ Pennington (16-8) and former divisional queen Peña (11-5), as they settle a rivalry that began to brew during their time on The Ultimate Fighter season 18 in 2013. While “Rocky” will return eight months on from her capturing of the then-vacant strap, “The Venezuelan Vixen” is set to make the walk for the first time since losing the title in her rematch with Amanda Nunes over two years ago.

Ahead of those two contests in Utah, fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 307 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

UFC 307 Countdown: Full Episode

Continue Reading VIDEO: UFC 307 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree & Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña at MMA News.

Sean Strickland Details His Beef with ‘Beta Male B*tch’ Khalil Rountree

Sean Strickland Details His Beef with 'Beta Male B*tch' Khalil RountreeSean Strickland has opened up about his beef with Khalil Rountree Jr., which he says stems from some past…

Sean Strickland Details His Beef with 'Beta Male B*tch' Khalil Rountree

Sean Strickland has opened up about his beef with Khalil Rountree Jr., which he says stems from some past encounters with the man.

The world first saw a glimpse of the beef back in March of 2022. Rountree defeated Karl Roberson at UFC Vegas 50 and later burst into tears during his post-fight interview. Sean Strickland took the opportunity to poke fun at the man and blasted him on X (formerly known as Twitter.)

Strickland would prove hypocritical down the road, though, as he would burst into tears while on a podcast with Theo Von in 2023. Fans didn’t forget what Strickland said about Rountree, and he did face a little flak for it.

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Sean Strickland opens up about his dislike for Khalil Rountree Jr.

In an interview with MMA journalist The Schmo, Sean Strickland finally took the time to explain where all this apparent dislike for Rountree comes from. Not only did Strickland accuse Rountree of being in a cult, but he also told a story that involved ‘The War Horse’ being a little too sensitive for his liking.

Apparently, Rountree wanted to demonstrate an MMA move on a woman, and she made a joke that really got under the skin of ‘The War Horse’.

“Like a white woman that if you were to see in a bar and it was closing down, you would just be like, ‘I’m going home alone,’” Strickland told The Schmo. “Like this is the level of white woman we’re talking about. Anyways, Khalil goes and grabs her and says, ‘Hey, I’m going to. I want to show a move.’ And grabs her. And she makes a joke. She makes a joke. She goes, ‘Oh, se*ual harassment.’”

“And Khalil, this little bi*ch, beta male bi*ch, he goes, ‘I’m a black man,’” Strickland continues, enraged. “Khalil, are you a black man? We don’t know yet. You don’t sound like a black man. He goes, ‘I’m a black man in America. You don’t accuse me of that.’ And after that, that moment, when I realized Khalil is a liberal c*ck beta male. We can’t be friends anymore.”

What do you think about Sean Strickland not liking Khalil Rountree Jr. for being a liberal?

Sean Strickland set to train with Alex Pereira for UFC 307 title fight with Khalil Rountree

Sean Strickland set to train with Alex Pereira for UFC 307 title fight with Khalil RountreeFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has been drafted into the training camp of former foe, Alex Pereira ahead…

Sean Strickland set to train with Alex Pereira for UFC 307 title fight with Khalil Rountree

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Sean Strickland has been drafted into the training camp of former foe, Alex Pereira ahead of the Brazilian’s undisputed light heavyweight title fight against challenger, Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 next weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Strickland, who retains the number one rank at the middleweight limit, most recently landed a split decision win over former championship challenger, Paulo Costa back in May at UFC 302, earning himself a title rematch against the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis.

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And as for Alex Pereira, the former two-division champion has already twice defended his 205lbs crown since his ascension last November, most recently taking out former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka with a stunning second round high-kick knockout win on short-notice at UFC 303 back in June during International Fight Week.

Glover Teixeira, Alex Pereira
Image via: Getty

Tasked with knocking back the title contention of surging Rountree next month in the main event of UFC 307, the incoming title chaser most recently landed a one-sided eventual third round knockout win over another former championship challenger, Anthony Smith.

Alex Pereira set to train with Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 307 title fight return

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And despite landing a stunning first round knockout win over former middleweight gold holder, Strickland during his own rise to the title back in 2022, Pereira will draft the outspoken contender into his camp in Conneticut to help prepare him for Rountree — who has a rather colorful history of his own with Strickland.

Enjoying an impressive run this year alone, prior to his knockout of Czech Republic native, Prochazka would flatten former champion, Jamahal Hill in his first light heavyweight title defense — felling the Dana White’s Contender Series with a blistering finish in the opening round of their UFC 300 headliner.

Sean Strickland Set To Join Alex Pereira’s Camp For UFC 307 Title Defense

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira will have the help of an ex-opponent ahead of his return in Salt Lake City. Pereira has had a bumper 2024 thus far, firmly putting himself in Fighter of the Year contention by recording consecutive successful title defenses in major main events at UFC 300 and UFC 303. “Poatan” […]

Continue Reading Sean Strickland Set To Join Alex Pereira’s Camp For UFC 307 Title Defense at MMA News.

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira will have the help of an ex-opponent ahead of his return in Salt Lake City.

Pereira has had a bumper 2024 thus far, firmly putting himself in Fighter of the Year contention by recording consecutive successful title defenses in major main events at UFC 300 and UFC 303.

“Poatan” leapt to the promotion’s rescue on both occasions, first when other avenues for the milestone April pay-per-view didn’t come to fruition and then when Conor McGregor pulled out of International Fight Week on late notice.

The Brazilian boosted his stock at the expense of Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka, both of whom fell to the same violent fate to ensure Pereira’s continued reign on the throne at 205 pounds.

And Pereira is far from done with his high level of activity. He’s set to to return at the Utah-held UFC 307 event on October 5, a PPV he’ll headline against a surprise challenger in the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree.

To prepare, “Poatan” is seeking help from a man who has not exactly seen eye to eye with Rountree in recent years…

Pereira Seeks Aid Of Former Opponent Strickland For UFC 307 Defense

Much is often said about the challenges of fighting in the conditions brought with it by Salt Lake City’s elevation. As a result, fighters usually head out early to acclimatize.

That’s currently the case for Pereira, whose latest YouTube video detailed his early training sessions in the “Beehive State” after arriving with his team a few weeks out from UFC 307. Among those with him is head coach Glover Teixeira, fellow UFC 307 fighter César Almeida, and his sister Aline Pereira.

That group will also soon be joined by much different character in former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Since “Poatan” knocked the American out back in 2022, the pair have formed a friendship and even trained together.

Pereira revealed during his video that Strickland is set to arrive in Salt Lake City to aid in his preparations this week.

While “Tarzan” has never shared the cage with Rountree, the pair do appear to have some animosity stemming from Strickland’s reaction to “War Horse’s” emotional post-fight speech at the Apex back in 2022.

Continue Reading Sean Strickland Set To Join Alex Pereira’s Camp For UFC 307 Title Defense at MMA News.