The largest, breakout star in MMA over the previous few years returns on Saturday as Alex Pereira appears to be like to make the third protection of his gentle heavyweight title towards Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307.
The pay-per-view occasion, which emanates from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, is taken into account something however a loaded card. But with two title fights atop the marquee and the return of Brazlian legend Jose Aldo, there are not any scarcity of storylines to think about.
Let's take a better take a look at what to look at for as this weekend's fights draw nearer.
1. When in doubt, the UFC continues to name upon “Poatan”
How precious is Alex Pereira to the UFC promotional machine in the meanwhile? Well, the Brazilian slugger and two-division UFC champion bailed the corporate out final November when Jon Jones-Stipe Miocic fell aside and a brand new major occasion was wanted at New York's Madison Square Garden. Pereira did the identical in April when he was referred to as upon to fill a late void atop the marquee at UFC 300 in Las Vegas. Oh yeah, after which there was that point simply two months later when Conor McGregor pulled out of an extended-awaited return bout with a damaged toe at UFC 303 and International Fight Week in June just for Pereira, who was nursing his personal damaged toe, to step in as soon as once more. So who does the UFC name for an in-between PPV card in Salt Lake City? It's Pereira. But, contemplating UFC might have simply referred to as the variety of the way more deserving Magomed Ankalaev (an extremely powerful stylistic problem) for Pereira's subsequent battle but determined upon the No. 8-ranked Rountree, who will stand in entrance of “Poatan” all night time, this is likely to be the reward for Pereira's firm loyalty. Pereira is 5-to-1 betting favourite towards Rountree following seven straight UFC fights the place he was no bigger than a -155 favourite in any bout. The largest unknown might come in the type of a submit-battle callout ought to Pereira win as he continues to publicly marketing campaign for a return again right down to middleweight to face champion Dricus du Plessis.
2. Rountree's latest turnaround has been spectacular but deceiving
For as a lot of a shock because it was to listen to Rountree introduced as Pereira's subsequent title problem at 205 kilos, the 34-yr-previous “War Horse” is at the least driving a 5-battle win streak, together with 4 by devastating knockout. And the streak of victories got here instantly after a stretch in which Rountree misplaced three of 4. Rountree additionally has an amazing private story of getting overcome a lot alongside his journey to get to the place he's now, on the verge of a possible life-altering alternative. So, why has there been a lot debate about Rountree chopping the road? A variety of that comes right down to who he has (and, extra importantly, hasn't) defeated to get so far. Rountree has solely fought one title who's presently in the UFC prime 10 at gentle heavyweight and misplaced through first-spherical knockout (to Johnny Walker in 2018). He additionally solely defeated one fighter ranked in the highest 10 throughout his present win streak, Anthony Smith, who was No. 8 on the time and is presently in the midst of getting misplaced 5 of his final seven. His earlier three wins additionally got here towards opponents who have been going by way of extraordinarily exhausting instances: Chris Daukas (reduce by UFC after 2023 loss to Rountree, presently driving 5-battle shedding skid), Dustin Jacoby (has misplaced 4 of his final 5) and Karl Robertson (who was reduce by UFC in 2022 and is presently driving a 5-battle shedding skid). Modestas Bukauskas, whom Rountree stopped to start his win streak, was additionally reduce by UFC instantly after the battle following his third straight loss.
3. Kayla Harrison cannot enter the ladies's bantamweight title image quick sufficient
Following Harrison's lengthy-awaited UFC debut in April, which noticed her dominate and submit former champion Holly Holm, most anticipated the 2-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL star to get an instantaneous title shot. The 34-yr-previous Harrison, who reduce right down to 135 kilos for the primary time at UFC 300, could solely have a specific amount of maximum weight cuts in her and the dearth of depth at bantamweight could not be extra evident in the aftermath of Amanda Nunes' retirement. Instead, Harrison will weigh in because the backup for Saturday's co-major occasion and could have one other battle of her personal on the PPV major card towards Ketlen Viera, in which Harrison is a -900 betting favourite. So, what are we really doing right here? Great query! Harrison should look ahead to former champion Julianna Pena to get a crack at Raquel Pennington's title although Pena hasn't fought in two years since she was soundly outpointed (by scores of fifty-45, 50-44 and 50-43) in her title rematch with Nunes. Pena can also be simply 3-3 since 2017. Pennington's January win over Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant title was something however inspiring as a result of flat efficiency from each, however Harrison will nonetheless be compelled to clear yet one more hurdle earlier than a attainable shot at UFC gold.
4. Jose Aldo continues to flaunt unimaginable longevity atop the game
After shedding his first two bouts at 135 kilos, together with a one-sided title defeat to Petr Yan in 2020, most felt that was doubtless the tip for Aldo's two-division title hopes following a legendary run as featherweight king. Instead, the Brazilian residing legend has quietly put collectively a formidable run in the game's deepest division ever, having gained 4 of his final 5. The 38–yr-previous ageless marvel returns as a slight betting underdog towards purple-scorching Mario Bautista, who has quietly gained six straight fights and eight of his final 9 courting again to 2019. While there's a big argument to be made that Aldo, given his age and celeb title, must be searching for enjoyable and celebratory fights towards fellow legends at this level, it could be exhausting to disclaim him yet one more run at a title shot with a win over Bautista. And regardless that Aldo's lone defeat since 2020 got here towards present champion Merab Dvalishvili two years in the past, Aldo stubbornly stuffed all 16 takedown makes an attempt from the grappling savant and misplaced a detailed resolution. “The King of Rio” is already going towards the grain by transferring down in weight so late in his profession however because the No. 10-ranked bantamweight in UFC, it is unimaginable to depend him out given his expertise and the dedication he nonetheless reveals to coming into fights in world-class form.
5. Two-time champion (*307*) Esparza says goodbye with retirement bout
At 36, and recent off giving delivery to a son, “The Cookie Monster” has determined to finish her profession on her personal phrases with a last stroll to the Octagon on Saturday towards fellow strawweight veteran Tecia Pennington. The bout represents the tip of an period, in some methods, as each fighters have been a part of the inaugural class of 115-pound fighters who first debuted a decade in the past on “The Ultimate Fighter.” Esparza went on to turn into the primary UFC strawweight champion by submitting Rose Namajunas in the present's finale. She would later go on so as to add an unlikely second title reign two years in the past by defeating Namajunas a second time (through cut up resolution in a weird and forgettable affair). It's additionally considerably of a rematch contemplating Esparza claimed a majority resolution over Pennington (who was beforehand often known as Tecia Torres) in the course of the TUF season.
