Alex Pereira solidified his reputation as a formidable force by retaining the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 307, defeating Khalil Rountree Jr. with a fourth-round knockout. The event, held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, showcased Pereira’s relentless fighting style as he wore down Rountree, ultimately leading to a decisive end after a flurry of punches left Rountree incapacitated.
Early rounds saw Rountree making a notable impact, landing clean shots that momentarily surprised the champion. However, Pereira remained composed, gradually taking control of the fight. Despite Rountree’s strong start, which included a knockdown in the second round, Pereira’s resilience shone through in the later rounds, where he began inflicting significant damage, culminating in a stoppage that left Rountree bleeding and unable to continue.
This victory further cements Pereira’s status as a top contender for the title of No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Following the fight, Pereira expressed a willingness to move up to heavyweight, but also indicated his satisfaction in the light heavyweight division, signaling that wherever he competes, it could pose challenges for future opponents.
In the co-main event, Julianna Peña reclaimed the UFC bantamweight championship in a closely contested split decision against Raquel Pennington. The decision was met with some controversy, as many believed that the champion, Pennington, had done enough to retain her title. Nevertheless, Peña secured her victory by landing key takedowns in the later rounds. With this win, she becomes the second two-time bantamweight champion in UFC history, following Amanda Nunes. Peña called for a trilogy fight with Nunes, but the more immediate contender appears to be Kayla Harrison, who impressed in her victory over Ketlen Vieira earlier in the night.
The main card also featured additional wins by Mario Bautista and Roman Dolidze, who defeated Jose Aldo and Kevin Holland, respectively. UFC 307 ultimately delivered an action-packed night filled with intense competition and significant implications for the fighters involved.