Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has been backed to potentially “break game” next month in his UFC 307…
Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has been backed to potentially “break game” next month in his UFC 307 title fight against Khalil Rountree according to the challenger’s head coach, John Wood, who predicts the Brazilian with wrestle in Salt Lake City.
Sidelined since he headlined UFC 303 on short-notice back in June, Sao Paulo knockout ace, Alex Pereira turned in a stunning second round high-kick knockout win over two-time foe, Jiri Prochazka in their International Fight Week showdown, to retain his title once more.
As for Rountree, the streaking number eight ranked light heavyweight challenger, turned in his fifth straight victory in December of last year in a dominant eventual knockout win over former title chaser, Anthony Smith.
Alex Pereira backed to test wrestling skills in UFC 307 fight with Khalil Rountree
And exclusively striking during his title reign at light heavyweight, veteran kickboxing ace, Alex Pereira is going to test his wrestling ability in his return against Rountree, according to the title contender’s coach.
“In a nutshell, yes [it’s a kickboxing fight],” John Wood told ESPN. “I believe honestly in my guy, I think (Alex) Pereira shoots on Khalil (Rountree), I think he’s the one that breaks game first and shoots on Khalil to try and 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,” Wood explained. “I think Alex shoots first, but yes, I would be shocked if this fight goes five rounds, someone is going out on their shield, it’s gonna happen.”
Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has been backed to potentially “break game” next month in his UFC 307…
Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has been backed to potentially “break game” next month in his UFC 307 title fight against Khalil Rountree according to the challenger’s head coach, John Wood, who predicts the Brazilian with wrestle in Salt Lake City.
Sidelined since he headlined UFC 303 on short-notice back in June, Sao Paulo knockout ace, Alex Pereira turned in a stunning second round high-kick knockout win over two-time foe, Jiri Prochazka in their International Fight Week showdown, to retain his title once more.
As for Rountree, the streaking number eight ranked light heavyweight challenger, turned in his fifth straight victory in December of last year in a dominant eventual knockout win over former title chaser, Anthony Smith.
Alex Pereira backed to test wrestling skills in UFC 307 fight with Khalil Rountree
And exclusively striking during his title reign at light heavyweight, veteran kickboxing ace, Alex Pereira is going to test his wrestling ability in his return against Rountree, according to the title contender’s coach.
“In a nutshell, yes [it’s a kickboxing fight],” John Wood told ESPN. “I believe honestly in my guy, I think (Alex) Pereira shoots on Khalil (Rountree), I think he’s the one that breaks game first and shoots on Khalil to try and 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,” Wood explained. “I think Alex shoots first, but yes, I would be shocked if this fight goes five rounds, someone is going out on their shield, it’s gonna happen.”
A retired fighter who boasts a win over Khalil Rountree wouldn’t be surprised if he unseats Alex Pereira from the UFC light heavyweight throne. Pereira, who also previously held gold on MMA’s biggest stage at middleweight, has ruled over the 205-pound division since capturing the then-vacant title in November 2023. He stopped Ji?í Procházka on […]
He stopped Ji?í Procházka on that occasion and has since repeated the feat in their International Fight Week rematch, in addition to also defending the belt against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.
“Poatan’s” high activity won’t be coming to a halt as he gears up for his third title defense of 2024 at the UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah early next month. To the surprise of many, his next challenger will be the #8-ranked Rountree, who most recently extended his winning run to five by knocking out Anthony Smith last December.
“The War Horse” has been branded undeserving by some in the community and will unsurprisingly enter his first PPV main event as a sizable underdog. But someone with experience sharing the cage with him insists he can’t be counted out…
Tyson Pedro Predicts Rountree To Beat Pereira In Utah
The Australian made an emphatic Octagon debut as an undefeated fighter back in November 2016, submitting Rountree in the first round at a Melbourne-held UFC Fight Night.
While he’ll be willing “The War Horse” on to become champ due to his past victory over him, Pedro legitimately believes that the 32-year-old’s edge in “mentality” could pave the way for a surprise title crowning in the “Beehive State.”
“Is he fighting Alex? … That’s a mad fight,” Pedro said. “That’s a hard one (to predict). I think Khalil’s more aggressive and violent in his approach, as of recently. if you see his (fights), it feels like he wants to kill the people now. … I don’t know if I can go against — you know what, I’m gonna go Khalil because of mentality.
“I think Pereira’s on a bit of (a high) and he’s just chilling. Once you get content — that’s the only reason I’m saying it. But I’ll go Khalil on that,” Pedro continued. “And also, I want him to win so then I can say I beeat him. Technically I’m the champ! MMA math!”
Pereira and Rountree’s title clash will top a stacked lineup in Salt Lake City to kick off October. In addition to another championship bout between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña, the likes of Kayla Harrison, José Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson will all return to the cage.
A retired fighter who boasts a win over Khalil Rountree wouldn’t be surprised if he unseats Alex Pereira from the UFC light heavyweight throne. Pereira, who also previously held gold on MMA’s biggest stage at middleweight, has ruled over the 205-pound division since capturing the then-vacant title in November 2023. He stopped Ji?í Procházka on […]
He stopped Ji?í Procházka on that occasion and has since repeated the feat in their International Fight Week rematch, in addition to also defending the belt against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.
“Poatan’s” high activity won’t be coming to a halt as he gears up for his third title defense of 2024 at the UFC 307 pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, Utah early next month. To the surprise of many, his next challenger will be the #8-ranked Rountree, who most recently extended his winning run to five by knocking out Anthony Smith last December.
“The War Horse” has been branded undeserving by some in the community and will unsurprisingly enter his first PPV main event as a sizable underdog. But someone with experience sharing the cage with him insists he can’t be counted out…
Tyson Pedro Predicts Rountree To Beat Pereira In Utah
The Australian made an emphatic Octagon debut as an undefeated fighter back in November 2016, submitting Rountree in the first round at a Melbourne-held UFC Fight Night.
While he’ll be willing “The War Horse” on to become champ due to his past victory over him, Pedro legitimately believes that the 32-year-old’s edge in “mentality” could pave the way for a surprise title crowning in the “Beehive State.”
“Is he fighting Alex? … That’s a mad fight,” Pedro said. “That’s a hard one (to predict). I think Khalil’s more aggressive and violent in his approach, as of recently. if you see his (fights), it feels like he wants to kill the people now. … I don’t know if I can go against — you know what, I’m gonna go Khalil because of mentality.
“I think Pereira’s on a bit of (a high) and he’s just chilling. Once you get content — that’s the only reason I’m saying it. But I’ll go Khalil on that,” Pedro continued. “And also, I want him to win so then I can say I beeat him. Technically I’m the champ! MMA math!”
Pereira and Rountree’s title clash will top a stacked lineup in Salt Lake City to kick off October. In addition to another championship bout between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña, the likes of Kayla Harrison, José Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson will all return to the cage.
UFC 306 (Noche UFC) is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering. The promotion was in Las Vegas last week, where the unique Sphere venue played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in the “Fight Capital of the World.” Of […]
While the aftermath of the September 14 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the bantamweight title picture to the 205-pound championship conversation.
At UFC 307, set for the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5, reigning light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira will compete for the third time this year, once again in defense of the gold. Following knockouts of Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka, “Poatan” will next face a surprise challenger in the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree.
There will also be title stakes in the co-headliner, as bantamweight queen Raquel Pennington returns for her first defense. “Rocky” is set to meet the challenge of a former champion and fellow TUF 18 competitor in Julianna Peña.
Sterling, Harrison, Holland Set The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 307
Before Pereira and Pennington defend their belts in the “Beehive State,” a number of other high-profile names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major card.
That includes former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who is looking to keep his ball rolling at 145 pounds following a successful divisional debut opposite Calvin Kattar earlier this year. To keep his pursuit of two-weight glory alive, “Funk Master” must blemish the perfect record of #6-ranked contender Movsar Evloev.
Prior to that, another notable name will look to stake her claim for a shot at championship glory on MMA’s biggest stage as two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time PFL title winner Kayla Harrison makes her sophomore Octagon appearance. After submitting Holly Holm on debut at UFC 300, the former judoka will look to go two for two at the expense of Ketlen Vieira in Salt Lake City.
And opening the main card will be the always entertaining Kevin Holland, whose second outing since returning to middleweight sees him matched up against top-10 competition in the form of Roman Dolidze.
Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over a number of prominent names on the prelims, including Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, José Aldo, and Carla Esparza.
See below for the full UFC 305 card, as it stands.
Main Card:
Alex Pereira (C) vs. Khalil Rountree (light heavyweight championship main event)
The main event of UFC 307 is sure to be an exciting contest while it lasts as knockout artists compete for the light heavyweight title in Salt Lake City. Many were surprised to see Khalil Rountree get the next shot at Alex Pereira’s title but in some ways, the match-up speaks for itself. A lot […]
The main event of UFC 307 is sure to be an exciting contest while it lasts as knockout artists compete for the light heavyweight title in Salt Lake City.
Many were surprised to see Khalil Rountree get the next shot at Alex Pereira’s title but in some ways, the match-up speaks for itself.
Despite rating his skills as a fighter and his conduct as a person, a former training partner of his isn’t sure that he can hang in there against “Poatan”.
Carlos Prates Can’t See How Khalil Rountree Will Compete With Alex Pereira On The Feet
In a recent interview with Sherdog.com, breakout welterweight Carlos Prates gave his thoughts on the main event clash at 205 pounds.
As someone who has spent some time in the company of Rountree, he was able to give an educated prediction for this fight.
Prates, like many, simply doesn’t believe that Rountree will be able to have success when striking with Pereira, even if he has been very effective on the feet.
The 170-pounder picked out Magomed Ankalaev, who many expected would be next for the title shot, as the only fighter that might be able to cause Pereira some problems, likely due to his grappling game.
“To be honest, I train before with Khalil Rountree. He’s a nice guy, he’s a good fighter but I don’t think he can fight with ‘Poatan’. ‘Poatan’ is a different level of striking. I also see an interview of Khalil, he saying he have no plans to try take down so I think he, the first round, ‘Poatan’ gonna knock him out and that’s it. In light heavyweight, maybe Ankalaev can fight good against him but that’s it. Other guys, I don’t think they win the fight against ‘Poatan’. now ‘Poatan’ is the guy of the moment, the guy of the UFC right now.”
