Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, successfully defended his title with a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event of UFC 307. The event took place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday night.
Pereira, known for his striking power, faced a determined Rountree, who confidently returned Pereira’s intense staredown before the fight. In the early rounds, Rountree showcased his boxing skills and gained a slight edge with his quick hands, avoiding being overpowered at the start.
However, Pereira’s strategy became evident early on, as he began dismantling Rountree with powerful calf kicks. These leg strikes started to take a toll on Rountree, slowing him down as the fight progressed. In the second round, Pereira attempted a head kick that caught Rountree off guard, but Rountree responded with a strong right-hand blow that briefly stunned the champion, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
While Rountree aimed primarily for head strikes, Pereira remained patient, focusing on body shots and leg kicks to weaken his opponent. By the third round, Pereira’s leg kicks had significantly slowed Rountree, giving the Brazilian the upper hand. Sensing his opponent’s vulnerability, Pereira became more aggressive in his pursuit of a knockout.
In the fourth round, Pereira unleashed a barrage of strikes, culminating in a body shot that forced the referee to stop the fight, securing his victory and retaining the UFC light heavyweight title.
With this win, Pereira continues to build an impressive career, solidifying his status as one of the most formidable fighters in UFC history.