UFC 307 Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr.

 
 

UFC 307 Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr.

UFC 307 is set to be a thrilling event, with a blend of championship fights and intriguing matchups across multiple divisions.

Alex Pereira defends his Light Heavyweight title against **Khalil Rountree Jr.**, a clash of elite strikers with knockout power. Pereira’s technical kickboxing faces Rountree’s explosive Muay Thai, likely ending in fireworks.

In the Women’s Bantamweight division, champion Raquel Pennington takes on Julianna Peña, a gritty grappler known for dethroning Amanda Nunes. Pennington will need her clinch work and durability to fend off Peña’s relentless pressure and submission threats.

The card also features the welterweight return of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson**, facing the dynamic knockout artist **Joaquin Buckley**. Thompson’s karate-based style will be tested against Buckley’s aggression and power.

MMA legend José Aldo faces rising star Mario Bautist in a bantamweight bout, with Aldo’s legendary Muay Thai pitted against Bautista’s versatility. Meanwhile, grappling specialist Roman Dolidze faces the unpredictable **Kevin Holland** at middleweight, with Holland’s striking being his key to victory if he can avoid Dolidze’s ground game.

Adding to the excitement is Kayla Harrison, making her UFC debut against top contender Ketlen Vieira, Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, brings a world-class grappling pedigree, while Vieira looks to neutralize her with a well-rounded MMA skillset.

Rounding out the card is Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo in the Women’s Strawweight division, featuring a classic striker-versus-grappler battle, and **César Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria at middleweight, where Almeida’s kickboxing will be tested against Potieria’s aggressive, knockout-seeking style.

In a rematch from 2014, Carla Esparza takes on Tecia Pennington at Women’s Strawweight, with Esparza relying on her wrestling to overcome Pennington’s striking. With title implications and exciting stylistic matchups, UFC 307 is packed with action, showcasing veteran champions and rising stars alike.

Here is the full breakdown

Alex Pereira (C) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Fight Stat:

Alex Pereira

- Record: 8-2

- Striking Accuracy: 59%

- Takedown Defense: 73%

- Notable Wins: Israel Adesanya, Jan Błachowicz

Khalil Rountree Jr.

- Record: 12-5

- Striking Accuracy: 52%

- Takedown Defense: 50%

- Notable Wins: Modestas Bukauskas, Karl Roberson

Alex Pereira

Pereira is a world-class kickboxer known for his devastating power and technical striking. He excels in long-range exchanges, picking apart opponents with his precision and timing.

His striking, especially his left hook, is lethal. Pereira’s patience and ability to manage distance allow him to avoid unnecessary damage while waiting for knockout openings.

Pereira’s grappling remains his biggest vulnerability. While improving, fighters with a strong wrestling base have posed significant problems for him in past fights.

Khalil Rountree Jr.

Rountree is an aggressive striker with a Muay Thai background. He thrives in high-pressure situations, often overwhelming opponents with a barrage of powerful strikes, including his infamous leg kicks.

Rountree's explosiveness and power make him a dangerous opponent, especially early in the fight. His leg kicks can quickly slow down opponents, and he uses his aggression to dictate the pace.

His ground game and takedown defense are areas of concern. When pressured by strong grapplers, Rountree has struggled to maintain composure, and his cardio tends to fade in later rounds.

Prediction

This fight will likely come down to Pereira's technical striking against Rountree's aggressive power. If Pereira can manage the distance and avoid Rountree’s early bursts of offense, his superior technique and patience should lead to a **knockout or decision victory**. However, if Rountree can pressure Pereira and land heavy shots early, an upset could be on the cards.

Raquel Pennington (c) vs. Julianna Peña Fight Breakdown

Fight Stats:

Raquel Pennington

- Record: 15-8

- Takedown Accuracy: 28%

- Striking Accuracy: 49%

- Notable Wins: Irene Aldana, Aspen Ladd

Julianna Peña

- Record: 11-5

- Takedown Accuracy: 53%

- Striking Accuracy: 47%

- Notable Wins: Amanda Nunes, Sara McMann

Raquel Pennington

Pennington is a well-rounded fighter who excels in close-range, gritty exchanges. She’s known for her toughness and ability to push the pace in clinch-heavy battles.

Her dirty boxing and clinch work are strong, allowing her to wear down opponents. Pennington is also durable, able to withstand heavy punishment and still maintain composure in later rounds.

Pennington has a relatively low finish rate and lacks the power to end fights quickly. This can sometimes lead to her relying on decision wins rather than securing finishes.

Julianna Peña

Peña is an aggressive grappler who looks to pressure opponents with her relentless takedown attempts and ground control. She’s known for her toughness and willingness to engage in grueling exchanges.

Peña’s grappling is her biggest weapon, and her ability to apply consistent pressure on the ground has been a key to her victories. She’s also incredibly durable and can absorb damage while still pushing forward.

Peña’s striking is less refined, and she can be caught in exchanges with more technical strikers. Her defense tends to suffer in striking battles, leaving her vulnerable to counters.

Prediction

Peña’s grappling is her key to victory. If she can close the distance, secure takedowns, and impose her top game, she has a solid chance of grinding out a victory. Pennington, however, will look to keep the fight standing and use her clinch work and striking to frustrate Peña. This fight is likely to go the distance, with a slight edge to **Peña** due to her grappling control.

Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley

Fight Stats:

Stephen Thompson

- Record: 17-6-1

- Striking Accuracy: 44%

- Takedown Defense: 78%

- Notable Wins: Geoff Neal, Vicente Luque

Joaquin Buckley

- Record: 16-6

- Striking Accuracy: 41%

- Takedown Defense: 100%

- Notable Wins: Abdul Razak Alhassan, Albert Duraev

Stephen Thompson

Thompson is a karate-based striker, known for his unorthodox movement and range control. He excels in maintaining distance and landing clean strikes without taking much damage.

Thompson’s footwork and distance management make him a nightmare for aggressive fighters. He’s a counter-striking specialist, often frustrating opponents and landing precision strikes from a distance.

Thompson has struggled against grapplers who can close the distance and pressure him against the cage. While difficult to take down, his ability to deal with relentless pressure is a concern.

Joaquin Buckley

Buckley is an explosive power striker who thrives on high-energy exchanges. His knockout ability is well-known, and he’s capable of landing fight-ending strikes from various angles.

Buckley’s power and creativity in striking make him dangerous at any moment. He’s athletic, fast, and can change the momentum of a fight with a single punch or kick.

Buckley’s aggressiveness can sometimes leave him open to counters, and he’s struggled with cardio in longer fights. His technical striking doesn’t match Thompson’s precision, which could be a problem if he doesn’t find a finish early.

Prediction

Thompson’s ability to control range and frustrate aggressive fighters gives him the advantage in this fight. Buckley’s best chance is to close the distance quickly and look for a knockout, but if Thompson can keep his distance, he’ll likely outpoint Buckley for a **decision win**.

José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista

Fight Stats:

José Aldo

- Record: 31-8

- Striking Accuracy: 45%

- Takedown Defense: 90%

- Notable Wins: Frankie Edgar, Urijah Faber

Mario Bautista

- Record: 12-2

- Striking Accuracy: 49%

- Takedown Accuracy: 70%

- Notable Wins: Benito Lopez, Trevin Jones

José Aldo

Aldo is a striking legend, known for his sharp Muay Thai and punishing leg kicks. His defensive ability and counter striking make him one of the most dangerous stand-up fighters in MMA history.

His striking, particularly his leg kicks and boxing, is elite. Aldo is also incredibly hard to take down, which forces his opponents to stand and trade with him.

Aldo’s cardio has been a concern in the past, especially in five-round fights. He tends to slow down as fights progress, which could be a problem in a fast-paced matchup.

Mario Bautista

Bautista is a versatile fighter with strong grappling and effective striking. He’s well-rounded and capable of adjusting his strategy based on his opponent’s weaknesses.

Bautista’s ability to mix up his attacks between striking and grappling makes him a tough puzzle to solve. His takedown game is solid, and he’s dangerous in transitions.

Bautista hasn’t faced an opponent of Aldo’s caliber yet, and the experience gap could be significant. His striking, while effective, isn’t at Aldo’s level, which could put him at a disadvantage in exchanges.

Prediction

Aldo’s experience and technical striking should give him the upper hand in this fight. Bautista will need to rely on his grappling to find success, but Aldo’s takedown defense makes that a difficult task. Expect Aldo to win by decision.

Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland

Fight Stats:

Roman Dolidze

- Record: 12-2

- Striking Accuracy: 51%

- Takedown Accuracy: 39%

- Notable Wins: Jack Hermansson, Kyle Daukaus

Kevin Holland

- Record: 25-9

- Striking Accuracy: 54%

- Takedown Defense: 50%

- Notable Wins: Tim Means, Jacare Souza

Roman Dolidze

Dolidze is a powerful grappler with strong ground control and submissions. He excels at taking opponents down and controlling them, often looking for finishes on the ground.

His grappling and ground game are his biggest assets. Dolidze is especially dangerous in scrambles and submission opportunities.

His striking is not as polished, and he struggles in prolonged exchanges with more experienced strikers. His cardio can also be a concern in later rounds.

Kevin Holland

Holland is a dynamic striker with knockout power and creative striking techniques. He excels in stand-up exchanges, often using his length to keep opponents at range.

Holland’s striking versatility and knockout power make him dangerous on the feet. He’s also unpredictable, often throwing unorthodox strikes that can catch opponents off guard.

His takedown defense has been a consistent issue, and grapplers like Dolidze can take advantage of this. Holland also tends to struggle when he can’t keep the fight standing.

Prediction

If Dolidze can get the fight to the ground, he has a strong chance of winning via submission or ground control. However, if Holland can keep the fight standing, his striking will likely lead him to a **knockout or decision victory**.

Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison

Fight Stats:

Ketlen Vieira

- Record: 13-3

- Takedown Accuracy: 48%

- Striking Accuracy: 38%

- Notable Wins: Holly Holm, Miesha Tate

Kayla Harrison

- Record: 16-1(outside UFC)

- Takedown Accuracy: 68% (PFL)

- Striking Accuracy: 40%

- Notable Wins: Larissa Pacheco, Genah Fabian

Ketlen Vieira

Vieira is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with strong grappling and solid clinch control. She mixes in striking to set up takedowns and excels in controlling opponents on the mat.

Vieira’s grappling is her biggest strength. She can control fights with her ground game and is dangerous with submissions.

Her striking is less polished compared to elite strikers, and she can be outpointed in stand-up exchanges. Her takedown defense is also vulnerable against world-class grapplers.

Kayla Harrison

Harrison is an Olympic judo gold medalist with an elite grappling pedigree. She dominates her opponents with judo throws, top control, and submissions.

Harrison’s grappling is world-class. She overwhelms opponents with her judo, using her ground control to dominate and finish with submissions.

Harrison’s striking is still developing, and while effective, she’s not yet at the level of top strikers. She relies heavily on her ground game to control fights.

Prediction

Harrison’s elite grappling should give her a clear path to victory. If she can secure takedowns, she’ll likely dominate with ground control, leading to a **submission or decision victory** over Vieira.

Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo

Fight Stats:

Marina Rodriguez

- Record: 17-3-2

- Striking Accuracy: 50%

- Takedown Defense: 65%

- Notable Wins: Amanda Ribas, Yan Xiaonan

Iasmin Lucindo

- Record: 14-5

- Striking Accuracy: 47%

- Takedown Accuracy: 40%

- Notable Wins: Polyana Viana

Marina Rodriguez

Rodriguez is a Muay Thai specialist with exceptional striking technique. She excels in long-range exchanges, using her reach and power to outstrike opponents.

Her striking is her biggest weapon, with excellent combinations and knockout power. Rodriguez also has solid takedown defense, allowing her to keep the fight standing.

Rodriguez struggles against high-level grapplers. If taken down, she has difficulty getting back to her feet and can be controlled on the mat.

Iasmin Lucindo

Lucindo is a well-rounded fighter with solid striking and grappling. She’s comfortable in both areas, making her a versatile opponent.

Lucindo’s durability and ability to mix up her attack make her a tough matchup. She’s dangerous in transitions and has a good chin to withstand punishment.

Lucindo’s striking isn’t as polished as Rodriguez’s, and she may struggle in a stand-up battle. Her grappling is good but may not be enough to neutralize Rodriguez’s striking.

Prediction

Rodriguez’s superior striking gives her the edge in this fight. If she can keep the fight standing, she should outpoint Lucindo and potentially win by **decision or knockout**.

César Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria

Fight Stats:

César Almeida

- Record: 4-1 (MMA), Extensive kickboxing background

- Striking Accuracy: N/A

- Takedown Defense: N/A

- Notable Wins: Marcello Nuñez (kickboxing)

Ihor Potieria

- Record: 20-4

- Striking Accuracy: 45%

- Takedown Defense: 80%

- Notable Wins: Nicolae Negumereanu

César Almeida

Almeida is an elite kickboxer with a decorated striking background. He excels in stand-up exchanges and relies heavily on his precision and knockout power.

His kickboxing is world-class, making him extremely dangerous in stand-up fights. Almeida’s ability to maintain distance and land devastating strikes is his biggest asset.

His MMA experience is limited, especially in grappling. If taken down, Almeida may struggle against more experienced MMA grapplers like Potieria.

Ihor Potieria

Potieria is an aggressive fighter with knockout power and a well-rounded skillset. He mixes up his striking and grappling effectively, making him a dangerous opponent.

Potieria’s ability to blend striking with grappling allows him to adapt to different styles. He’s aggressive and powerful, with a good finishing rate.

Potieria can be reckless, sometimes overcommitting and leaving himself open to counters. His ground game, while effective, isn’t elite, and against a top striker like Almeida, he could get caught.

Prediction

If Almeida can keep the fight standing, his kickboxing experience gives him a strong chance for a **knockout**. However, if Potieria can take him down, he’ll likely control the fight and win by **decision** or submission.