Alex Pereira proved once again why he is a formidable force in the UFC, successfully defending his light heavyweight title at UFC 307 with a fourth-round knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. The fight showcased Pereira’s typical explosive style, ultimately overpowering Rountree despite a challenging start.
Initially, Rountree managed to secure some early success, landing solid punches that stunned the champion. Pereira, however, began to find his rhythm and control the fight as it progressed. The momentum shifted significantly in the third round when Pereira started inflicting serious damage to Rountree’s face, which swelled under the relentless pressure.
As Rountree’s energy waned in the later rounds, Pereira seized the opportunity to unleash his striking arsenal, culminating in a finishing combination that left Rountree bent over and bloodied. The crowd witnessed Pereira’s dominance throughout the match, a display that solidified his status as a top contender in the UFC.
This victory could bolster Pereira’s claim as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the organization. In discussing his future, Pereira expressed willingness to consider a move to heavyweight, although he remains content in the light heavyweight division.
In the co-main event, Julianna Peña regained her bantamweight championship against Raquel Pennington in a split decision that sparked some debate. The bout was closely contested, with Peña securing critical takedowns in the middle rounds, while Pennington rallied in the later stages. Ultimately, the judges favored Peña, marking her as the second two-time champion in UFC bantamweight history, following Amanda Nunes.
Peña called for a trilogy fight with Nunes but may face Kayla Harrison, who attended the event after her victory over Ketlen Vieira, positioning herself as a likely challenger for the title.
The main card also featured victories from Mario Bautista and Roman Dolidze, who scored wins against Jose Aldo and Kevin Holland, respectively. UFC 307 was an event full of excitement and pivotal moments for the competitors involved.