Alex Pereira Aims to Make History at UFC 307

UFC 307, set to take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, is headlined by a highly anticipated light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion, is on the cusp of making history with his third title defense in 2024.

If successful, Pereira will break Ronda Rousey's record for the shortest time between three UFC title defenses, achieving this feat in just 175 days. Rousey currently holds the record at 189 days.

Pereira's Rise to Prominence

Since his UFC debut in November 2021, Alex Pereira has captivated fans with his dominant performances and frequent fights. He is the only UFC fighter to have won both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles, achieving this in just 11 bouts, the fewest in UFC history. Pereira's striking ability, honed from his background as a former Glory Kickboxing World Champion, has made him nearly unbeatable in the 205-pound division.

Pereira's last two title defenses were against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, both of which showcased his unmatched knockout power and mastery of the leg kick. His left hook is particularly feared, and he has a reputation for not bothering with takedowns, preferring to keep the fight standing.

Challenger Khalil Rountree Jr.

Khalil Rountree Jr., ranked number 8 in the light heavyweight division, is on a five-fight winning streak, with four of those wins coming by knockout. Despite being a significant underdog, Rountree has vowed to stand and trade with Pereira, leveraging his own heavy-handed striking. Rountree has never attempted a takedown in his UFC career, ensuring that this fight will likely remain a striking contest.

Rountree's impressive record includes seven knockouts and 13 knockdowns in the UFC light heavyweight division, making him a formidable opponent despite the odds. His last fight was in December 2023, and he is looking to make a significant impact with a win over Pereira.

Other Notable Fights at UFC 307

In addition to the main event, UFC 307 features a co-headliner between women's bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington and challenger Julianna Pea. The card also includes veteran fighters like Jose Aldo and Stephen Thompson, who are both looking to make significant impacts in their respective divisions. Aldo, now competing in the bantamweight division, faces Mario Bautista, while Thompson takes on Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight bout.