Reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira returned to the Octagon at UFC 307 on Saturday night seeking his third successful title defense in six months.
After scoring back-to-back highlight-reel knockouts against Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka in his last two outings, ‘Poatan’ is tasked with taking out another heavy hitter—Khalil Rountree Jr. ‘The War Horse’ rides into The Crossroads of the West with five-straight wins, including a brutal finish of one-time title challenger Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith in December.
Round 1
Pereira comes out and immediately throws a kick early. Rountree catches it, but lets it go and takes the center of the Octagon. Pereira fires a body kick to the body as Rountree looks to land an early combination. Pereira throws a straight left and follows it up with a stinging calf kick. Rountree fires back with a quick left hand. Pereira throws a counter right hand that connects. Pereira goes back to the calf kick and Rountree tries to make him pay with a left but comes up short.
Rountree slowly inches forward and tries to move ‘Poatan’ back with another big left hand. Pereira makes him pay with another nasty calf kick. Pereira throws a left and Rountree catches the champ with a right hand at the tail end of a combination. Pereira throws a head kick. Rountree catches it and lands a right hand. Rountree rushes in again and lands partially with a left hand. Pereira lands another calf kick that briefly buckles Rountree. Pereira stalks forward in the final seconds but opts not to unleash anything before the end of the round.
Round 2
Rountree comes out throwing early in the second and Pereira makes him pay with a couple of calf kicks. Rountree lands a left hand, but there’s not much behind it. Pereira kicks to the body, but Rountree catches it and lands a left. Pereira offers up a straight left and Rountree comes right back with a one-two combination. Rountree throws again, but Pereira lands a counter right. Pereira connects with a left that appears to have momentarily affected ‘The War Horse’. Rountree is now sporting a cut on the bridge of his nose.
Pereira goes up top with a head kick. Rountree attempts to counter, but comes up short once again. Pereira attacks the lead leg again, and Rountree lands a counter right, followed by a right that connects with Pereira’s ear. Rountree appears to be having some issue with his lead leg, but that doesn’t stop him from landing a big left after Pereira’s head kick attempt fails to connect. Pereira is taken off balance, but reset and starts moving forward again. Rountree lands another left and ‘Poatan’ makes him pay with a right.
Rountree closes out the second round with a high kick that glances off Pereira’s head.
Round 3
Pereira comes out in hot pursuit and throws a right hand, but eats a combination in return that has ‘Poatan’ backing away. Rountree lands a thudding shot to the body. Rountree whiffs on a right hook but lands another shot to the body as Pereira retreats. Rountree throws another high kick that partially connects with Pereira’s head. He follows that up with a straight right to the body of the champ. Pereira responds with a clean right hand. Rountree returns fire with a left.
Pereira goes back to attacking the lead leg of Rountree. Pereira goes on the attack, but Rountree counters and circles away from the cage. Rountree throws a left hook that partially lands. Rountree goes back to the high kick, but Pereira fends it off with ease. Rountree goes back to the left hook but eats a straight right. Pereira lands a big kick to the body and Rountree appears to be compromised. Rountree tries to fire back wildly but is out of range. Pereira comes in hot with a flying knee and throws another one up the middle just before the horn sounds.
Round 4
Rountree opens the round with his own lead leg attack but eats a calf kick from Pereira in return. Pereira throws a straight right followed by a jab and another stinging leg kick. Rountree tries to go to the body and Pereira lands a huge jab that echoes through the arena. Rountree’s face is looking busted up. Rountree attempts to fire back, but eats a combination and it now looks like it’s just a matter of time.
Rountree is on the ropes and ‘Poatan’ starts to bust him up against the fence. Pereira lands a couple of nasty right hands and Rountree is retreating. Sensing the finish, Pereira closes in and starts piecing up ‘The War Horse’ while continuing to pick his spots wisely. Rountree fires back but eats an uppercut.
Rountree’s face is pouring blood all over the Octagon as he desperately tries to survive. Pereira throws a knee up the middle, but Rountree keeps going. He fires back, but Pereira puts him down with a right hand and the referee has seen enough.
Official Result: Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via TKO (strikes) at 4:32 of Round 4.
Check Out Highlights From Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree at UFC 307:
Alex Pereira’s walkout will never get old 🗿#UFC #MMA #UFC307pic.twitter.com/vhhTn1ZAD3
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 6, 2024
UFC 307 Results: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. Check out the UFC 307 results below.
Find out the stream @espnnetworklive pic.twitter.com/UFJ0fn2nW1— ESPN Live Network (@espnnetworklive) October 6, 2024
Main Card PPV live now
Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. pic.twitter.com/gtzs0WfYIu
— ESPN Live Network (@espnnetworklive) October 6, 2024
ALEX PEREIRA IS STILL ON TOP @SpinninBackfist #UFC307pic.twitter.com/9EgqVpwseB
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 6, 2024
ALEX PEREIRA STOPS KHALIL ROUNTREE JR #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/GuSqd8SZ41
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) October 6, 2024
#KO
UFC 307 Results: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.
Winner Pereira pic.twitter.com/0MX1EORD4K— ESPN Live Network (@espnnetworklive) October 6, 2024
