Alex Pereira Beats Khalil Rountree Jr. via 4th-Round TKO at UFC ...
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Alex Pereira remained the UFC's undisputed light heavyweight champion with a fourth-round TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. in the UFC 307 main event from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The intensity was palpable before the fight even kicked off. Pereira did his trademark pre-fight staredown and Rountree calmly returned the favor.
The staredown before the showdown ????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC307?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC307</a> <a href="https://t.co/6KJxl62zeQ">pic.twitter.com/6KJxl62zeQ</a>
Rountree was not overwhelmed in the first frame. He did well to utilize his boxing to take an early lead in the fight, but Pereira was able to hit early calf kicks that started to break down his opponent early in the fight.
Better first round than I expected for Rountree. But Pereira is just so comfortable and has established that calf kick already while looking to set up that left hook.
The challengers title bid got even more serious in the second round. A head kick attempt from Poatan put him out of position and Rountree unleashed a right hand that stunned Pereira.
Challenger bringing some firepower ???? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC307?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC307</a> <a href="https://t.co/tbIooTVvc8">pic.twitter.com/tbIooTVvc8</a>
While Rountree's attacks were primarily geared toward headhunting, Pereira made a conscious effort to break down his opponent with leg kicks and body shots.
Poatan began reaping the benefits of his bodywork and leg kicks in the third round. Rountree appeared hobbled by the calf kicks and was notably slower.
Pereira wins round 3. Rountree showing effects from that lead leg and body shots now. Things continue to get interesting in the main event. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ufc307?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ufc307</a>
HUGE land for the Champ ???? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC307?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC307</a> <a href="https://t.co/2vmzRofzpw">pic.twitter.com/2vmzRofzpw</a>
Once Pereira saw the openings he was relentless in chasing the knockout. He turned up the heat in the fourth round and drew the finish to retain his belt.
The Brazilian continues to quickly compile a resume that could place him among the all-time greats. Poatan was a little late in his transition from kickboxing to MMA, but he has made his presence felt with memorable knockouts and five wins in title fights.
Pereira burst onto the scene with his rivalry against Israel Adesanya, but his run at light heavyweight has defined a legacy that will go far beyond his classic fights with The Last Stylebender.
The most recent question surrounding Pereira is whether he could become the first fighter in UFC history to claim championships in three different weight divisions. The former middleweight and current light heavyweight champion has been a speculative future opponent for Jon Jones.
Unfortunately, Poatan threw some cold water on that idea recently. He met with Bones and trained with him after Jones hinted that his scheduled title defense against Stipe Miocic could be his last.
"I was only thinking about training because Jon said his last fight may be his last fight," Pereira said, per Farah Hannoun and Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie. "So I want to go over there and learn a little bit from him. I'm a guy that has an open mind, and I think it'll be great."
The idea of Pereira getting pointers from Jones should be terrifying for all future opponents. Jones is possibly the best fighter there's ever been at mixing creative striking with dominant wrestling.
We might have to wait a while to see if Pereira could land a title in a third division, but his reign of dominance in the light heavyweight division isn't so bad to witness either.
