Mario Bautista is seeking to re-enter the top-five at bantamweight and get back into the title picture, defeating Vinicius Oliveira in the main event of UFC Vegas 113.
Oliveira had control early in the opening round, keeping Bautista against the fence for a couple of minutes as the two worked a clinch battle. Bautista, however, scored a takedown late in the round, with Oliveira seemingly comfortable with doing work from the guard.
Bautista scored another takedown nearly right away in the second round, adding another one quickly and staying on top of Oliveira in spite of the latter quickly returning to his feet each time. Another takedown from Bautista on a gassed Oliveira kept him down for the rest of the round.
Bautista rained down ground-and-pound in the final minute before looking for a kimura. As Oliveira looked to defend, Bautista used the kimura lock to transition to the back, locking up a tight rear-naked choke for the submission victory.
Mario Bautista Submits Vinicius Oliveira At UFC Vegas 113
Bautistaâs transitions were poetry in motion. That was an amazing performance. #UFCVegas113
Bautista rebounds from his UFC 321 loss to Umar Nurmagomedov, a fight that snapped an eight-fight win streak. That streak saw Bautista score wins over the likes of Jose Aldo, Patchy Mix, and Ricky Simon.
Oliveira sees a six-fight win streak snapped with this loss, his first in the Octagon. He had not dropped an MMA fight since losing to Ali Taleb in UAE Warriors in July 2022.
UFC Vegas 113 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s the first UFC Fight Night event of the year, and it’s the first held at the Apex since the building’s sponsored rebranding. The main event will feature Mario Bautista taking on Vinicius Oliveira. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!
Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira – Bantamweight Main Event
Bautista is 10-3 in the Octagon since arriving to the UFC in 2019. After going 2-2 to start his UFC tenure, he racked up eight straight wins, including wins over Ricky Simon, Jose Aldo, and Patchy Mix. Bautista’s streak was snapped in his last fight, however, falling to Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321.
Oliveira enters on a six-fight win streak and has been on quite the rise since his arrival to the UFC from Dana White’s Contender Series. The former UAE Warriors bantamweight champion is 4-0 in the UFC so far, coming into this bout off a decision over Kyler Phillips at UFC 318.
The co-main event will see a key flyweight matchup as Amir Albzai returns to the Octagon to serve as the second UFC opponent for Kyoji Horiguchi.
Albazi has been a highly-ranked flyweight, but his activity has been hampered over the last few years due to injuries. This will be his first fight since losing to Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton in November 2024. Horiguchi, the former Bellator and RIZIN champion, made his UFC debut with a bonus-earning, third-round submission of Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Qatar in November.
If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Vegas 113!
Umar Nurmagomedov rebounded from an unsuccessful title shot, scoring a win over Mario Bautista at UFC 321.
Magomedov caught a body kick attempt from Bautista in the fight’s opening seconds, scoring a takedown with it. Bautista threatened a tight-looking toe hold not long after, but Nurmagomedov worked his way out of it and controlled the rest of the round with his expert-level grappling.
Bautista landed a perfectly-timed knee in the second round that seemed to do damage, but Nurmagomedov recovered and was able to score another takedown. Nurmagomedov got to the back and threatened a choke with a body triangle, but Bautista was able to get out of it, even getting his own brief trip on Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov’s grappling and pressure continued to be on point in the third, allowing him to sweep the scorecards for the win.
Umar Nurmagomedov Defeats Mario Bautista At UFC 321
It feels like Umar Nurmagomedov tried to prove a point in relentlessness after his title fight loss to Merab Dvalishvili. Safe to say he accomplished that. Point made, sir.
Umar just got dropped by Bautistađđ dude is not beating Merab man. Watch his fans say âBut but Umar had a broken eyelidâ #UFC321pic.twitter.com/bTf0quJF9l
Nurmagomedov was undefeated before he took on Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title at UFC 311. Nurmagomedov won the first two rounds, but Dvalishvili rebounded in the remaining three.
Bautista sees an eight-fight win streak get snapped tonight. He came into this bout off decision wins over the likes of Jose Aldo and Patchy Mix.
Mario Bautista is not daunted by the prospect of fighting Umar Nurmagomedov and is confident he has a methodology to put the second blemish on the pro MMA record of the Dagestan-based fighter. Bautista appeared on MMA Junkie Radio leading into his UFC 321 fight against Umar Nurmagomedov. That high stakes bantamweight clash will emanate from Abu Dhabi and will transpire on October 25th. This bout will put the number two ranked Umar Nurmagomedov against the number eight ranked Bautista.
The victor of this bout would be well positioned in the title shot queue as the UFC 320 bantamweight title fight between reigning champ Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen looms ever closer. Speaking to his preparations for this looming matchup in the coming weeks against Nurmagomedov, Bautista said,
“I completely have all the trust and faith in my team… the MMA Lab, we’re pretty good grapplers. We have grapplers from everywhere. NCAA finalist Bryce Meredith, Ezra Elliot who’s killing it in jiu-jitsu and grappling. We have some of the best strikers, like Marcus McGee who went three rounds with Peter Yan. I have complete faith we’re going to come up with a good game plan for this.”
“You just have to be a great grappler yourself and actually threaten the grappling back, so I think that kind of evens things out. If a wrestler is just being offensive the whole time, he’s winning… You kind of have to put that in their head too. It’s very taxing on their body and we’ve seen it with Umar kind of gassed out towards the end there. So yes, blueprint’s out there.”
Mario Bautista fighting someone here who “came close to beating the champ”
As he kept further expounding upon his thoughts on this huge bout at 135 pounds, Mario Bautista continued,
“The higher you climb up, the better they’re getting. So, I’m happy with it. And you just fought a guy that about a year ago many people were saying could be the best bantamweight in the world. Patchy Mix… This sport’s unforgiving in the sense that no disrespect to him, he hasn’t been part of the UFC. Umar has and he came close to beating the champ. So just that climb, that competitiveness in your division, is amazing.”
Umar Nurmagomedov is gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.
According to a recent update from popular MMA source MagicM on X, Umar Nurmagomedov is reportedly close to finalizing a showdown with No. 8 ranked bantamweight contender Mario Bautista. While the bout has yet to be officially confirmed, it appears all but set, with the date and venue still to be determined.
The news comes on the heels of a tease from Nurmagomedovâs manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who hinted earlier this week that âThe Young Eagleâ has a fight lined up, with an official announcement expected soon.
Khabib Confirms Umar Nurmagomedovâs Return Will Be In Five Round Headliner
While details surrounding the potential clash between Umar Nurmagomedov and Mario Bautista remain under wraps, the 29-year-old Dagestaniâs cousin and UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov recently revealed on social media that Umarâs next bout is set to headline a card as a five-round main event.
“Umar Nurmagomedov, main event of the evening. Five rounds. It’s time to make your comeback, Jr,” Khabib wrote on Instagram Stories.
Image: @khabib_nurmagomedov/Instagram
Umar was last seen in action at UFC 311 this past January, where he challenged reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili for the title. The high-stakes matchup resulted in the first loss of his professional career, as he fell short via unanimous decision.
Prior to the setback, âThe Young Eagleâ had compiled a six-fight win streak inside the Octagon, notching victories over notable opponents such as Cory Sandhagen, Bekzat Almakhan, and Raoni Barcelos. Nurmagomedov currently boasts a professional record of 18-1, with seven of those wins coming by submission.
Meanwhile, Bautista is riding a remarkable eight-fight win streak in the UFC. The 32-year-old American was last seen in action at UFC 316 this past June, where he dominated former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory.
Bautistaâs last defeat came in March 2021 at UFC 259, where he fell to a second-round knockout at the hands of Trevin Jones. He now holds a professional record of 16-2, with nine of those victories coming by way of stoppage.
There was plenty of hype heading into UFC 316 for the impending debut of former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix, who had been considered one of the best fighters to have not been signed by the UFC.
Unfortunately, he didn’t fight as such in his first bout in the Octagon, losing handedly to Mario Bautista.
Mix’s first five minutes were rough — looking like the slower fighter and not doing enough with his footwork. Bautista was able to control the action with his jab, landing a number of shots that resulted in Mix getting busted up on his face. This included one jab that appeared to rock him early, and one shot that did damage right before the horn.
Mix showed some improvement in the second round, including a solid head kick midway through the round. He found moments, including drawing some blood from Bautista under one of his eyes. Bautista, however, continued to stay busy and work combinations, overwhelming Mix with volume, including a surge in the final minute that did damage.
Mix looked to come out aggressive to start the third, but Bautista was right there to answer back. Mix couldn’t get a takedown and continued to get tagged by Bautista’s right hand, which opened a cut on Mix’s face. Mix would land a couple of solid shots and a knee late in the round, but it wasn’t enough.
Patchy Mix Underwhelms In UFC Debut Against Mario Bautista At UFC 316
Bautista has now won eight straight, having come into this fight off wins over Jose Aldo and Ricky Simon.
Mix is a former Bellator bantamweight champion, having defeated the likes of Raufeon Stots, Magomed Magomedov and Sergio Pettis. Mix’s most recent fight prior to tonight came at the Bellator Champions Series event in Paris in May 2024, edging out Magomedov in a controversial decision to retain the Bellator bantamweight championship.
The UFC has confirmed that former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix has signed with the promotion, making the announcement prior to the main event of UFC Vegas 106 on May 17.
The UFC added the confirmation that Mix will make his debut on short notice at UFC 316 in Newark on June 7, filling in for Marlon “Chito” Vera against Mario Bautista.
Mix is 20-1 in professional MMA and was a part of the Bellator roster from 2019 until the promotion’s folding in 2024. His sole loss came in his first title fight, suffering a comeback loss at the hands of Juan Archuleta in a bantamweight title fight at Bellator 246.
Patchy Mix Signs With UFC, Will Face Mario Bautista At UFC 316
Mix, however, ran through Kyoji Horiguchi, Magomed Magomedov and Raufeon Stots to win the Bellator Bantamweight Grand Prix and the interim Bellator bantamweight title before defeating Sergio Pettis at Bellator 301 to become undisputed Bellator bantamweight champion.
Mix defended the title in a controversial split decision win at the Bellator Champions Series held in Paris one year ago today. He then had a tumultuous public falling out with the PFL, who purchased Bellator at the end of 2023, before he and the promotion officially parted ways on May 13.
Bautista has won seven straight and last fought at UFC 307, scoring a controversial decision win over Jose Aldo.
UFC 316 will be headlined a pair of title fights. The main event will see Sean O’Malley challenge Merab Dvalishvili in a bantamweight title rematch from their Noche UFC 2 encounter. The co-main event features Julianna Pena defending the UFC women’s bantamweight title against former PFL champion Kayla Harrison.
Marlon Vera is seemingly set for a showdown with a stylistically challenging opponent in his Octagon return.
On Wednesday, MMA journalist Marcel Dorff reported on X that former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera is set to clash with Mario Bautista at a UFC Fight Night event on May 3 in Des Moines, Iowa.
The fight announcement was first revealed by MMA content creator Tuck, who claimed that the matchup would serve as the co-main event for the card.
The 32-year-old Ecuadorian was riding the momentum of a four-fight win streak before his run came to a halt against Cory Sandhagen in March 2023. Since then, he has managed just one victory â a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292. Vera now finds himself at 6-5 in his last 11 outings.
Meanwhile, Bautista is riding the wave of a seven-fight win streak. He was last seen in action at UFC 307 this past October, where he secured a hard-fought split decision victory over UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo. The 31-year-old American hasn’t tasted defeat since March 2021, when he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Trevin Jones at UFC 259.
Across three rounds, the 31-year-old achieved that feat, extending his winning run to seven and securing a rise to #9 in the rankings by falling on the right side of a split decision verdict in Utah.
Bautista Claims Aldo Could Have Escaped Positions At UFC 307, Opted Not To
During a recent interview on MMA Junkie Radio, Bautista reflected on his successful display in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5, which saw his record’s win column receive its biggest addition to date.
“I just wanted him to keep on working. I just wanted him to break out of the clinch, use that energy to get out. And then just kind of stay stuck to him. Keep him working, working,” Bautista said. “I just didn’t really think he was going to â I don’t know, I guess just stay on the wall.
“I thought he was going to get out. … There were points where like, yeah he was defending the takedown and maybe he could have circled off, but he just chose to stay there,” Bautista continued. “Yeah, I was holding him against the cage. But at the same, I think he did have opportunities to circle off, it’s just he chose not to. … Maybe that’s his resting area. … ‘Maybe the ref will separate us and I’ll be able to get my strikes off,’ and this and that.”
Bautista went on to say that, as a fan of the sport himself, frustration in that situation should always be toward the fighter who is unable to break the clinch and circle away.
In addition to the portions of the fanbase giving him stick, Bautista also hit back at one specific individual on social media post-fight, taking aim at Henry Cejudo for the former champ’s negative assessment of his UFC 307 performance.
You already turned down the fight pre Aldo! My performance? You havenât won a fight in 4 years and your last two you got beat at your own game! Got out wrestled and pretty much got teched your last one..âchampâ https://t.co/atAb4iaXJm
Aldo returned on the main card of the UFC 307 pay-per-view on Oct. 5, making his second appearance inside the Octagon since bringing his short-lived retirement to an end in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year.
While the Brazilian immediately forged a path back into the rankings at 135 pounds by getting the better of Jonathan Martinez, Mario Bautista was able to spoil his plans for a late-career title shot in Utah.
Dillashaw differed from many with his take on Aldo vs. Bautista. He insisted that the ex-featherweight kingpin could have done much more to avoid granting Bautista such a long period of control in round three, which ultimately proved to be the difference.
“It surprises me…there’s techniques like this that (Aldo) doesn’t like â get off the cage,” Dillashaw said. “The loss for him, like with the fight cards, they thought Aldo should’ve won. I don’t know. He kept himself there (against the cage). Like, I’m not too mad. He lost the fight himself.”
It remains to be seen what comes next for Aldo, who was hoping to defend his spot inside the bantamweight top 10 in Salt Lake City before focusing on those above him.
Renato Moicano is arguably at the prime of his career in terms of momentum and popularity. His four-fight win streak as a UFC lightweight includes popular names like Jalin Turner, Benoit Saint-Denis, and Drew Dober, and he’s eyeing to fight the biggest stars in the division now.
Many fans believe Moicano to be a rising prospect because of his charisma on the mic. However, he’s been in the UFC since 2014 and has fought the best of the best in the UFC featherweight division until moving up a weight class.
Moicano, Gilbert Burns, and Matty Betts discussed all things UFC in the latest episode of Show Me The Money podcast on YouTube. Interestingly, Burns believes Aldo lost the fight because Bautista could hold him against the cage. The UFC welterweight instead blamed the referee for allowing the stalling.
Moicano understandably had a completely different concern. In 2019, he was definitely fighting a much better version of the Brazilian legend and a victory could’ve helped him secure a title shot. After UFC 307, Moicano believes he should’ve held Aldo against the cage as well but admitted that he wasn’t aware of the strategy.
The Brazilian fighters did acknowledge that Aldo might’ve been less active in the clinch because of fatigue. It is important to note that the fight took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, a venue notorious for affecting athletes’ cardio because of altitude.
The UFC lightweight contender also went against the masses and claimed that having Aldo on his resume will benefit Bautista in the long run. The likes of Merab Dvalishvili and Alexander Volkanovski were criticized for how they beat the former UFC featherweight champ too but over the years, their wins aged like fine wine.
Moicano didn’t agree with Burns and stated Aldo was robbed at UFC 307, though. He just identifies several positives for Bautista as well and thinks that the American bantamweight contender can still turn his career around for good.
Mario Bautista Believes He’s Getting Hate From The Fans For Ruining Their Bets
In a recent interview with James Lynch for Sportskeeda, Bautista spoke about some of the intense messages that he has received from fans that are annoyed about his win. Though the conversation about the scorecards and his method of victory hasn’t helped proceedings, he also believes that there is another factor.
Bautista said that many of the messages he has been recieving reference the fact that a lot of people lost money on this fight because they bet on Aldo and felt like he should have won. “The King of Rio” closed the fight as the underdog, meaning that he will have been a staple of many parlays, especially considering his performance earlier this year.
âI would get hate no matter what, win or lose so and I do think thatâs a big part too because I was a favorite coming into that and I know people are just going to put their money on Aldo for sure so I know people lost a lot of money, quite a bit of people it seems like. Even like in the messages and stuff, they say that. âYou made me lose my parley,â and this and that and they say a bunch of other stuff too but I think the main thing behind it is losing those bets.â
UFC 307 featured Mario Bautista getting his hand raised and securing the biggest win of his career when he got a split decision nod from the judges over Jose Aldo inside the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The fight had some moments, but most fans criticized the lackluster bout. In the third round, there was controversy as Bautista stalled for time when he clinched Aldo up against the fence and walked away with the win.
Coming out of the fight, UFC President Dana White gave his thoughts on the fight and the referee’s decision to let Bautista hold Aldo against the cage for so long.
“I always think that the referee should be more active on that, 100%, especially when somebody keeps doing it to stall,” White told the media. “You guys aren’t going to fâking let up on this, are you? I guess we’ll get into it.
If you’re judging a guy, whether it is control, if it’s this or that, if you’re not trying to fight, how do you win the fight? Right? And if you’re looking at attempted takedowns, what about stuffing the takedowns? Just madness.â
– Dana Whtie at the UFC 307 Post-Fight Press Conference
Not Winning The Fight
White continued by noting that it showed Bautista didnât want to strike and stand with Aldo, so he used the fence. He feels that itâs the refereeâs job to prevent that from happening.
“When they see it continually happening and that the guy is not trying to win the fight, then you keep breaking them up…I mean, it’s common sense when the guy keeps doing it and is doing everything he can to not fight and not win the fight. As a ref, you should break it up immediately.â
– Dana Whtie at the UFC 307 Post-Fight Press Conference
Fans didn’t seem happy with Bautista keeping the former UFC featherweight champ in a clinch. The rising bantamweight prospect couldn’t secure a single takedown despite ten attempts and even during the clinch, he prioritized control over damage which was unusual.
Bautista belongs to the same team as Sean O’Malley and the latter’s coach Tim Welch backed his fighter for trying to win the fight. However, he was instantly called out for doing so…
While reacting to UFC 307 on his YouTube channel, Tim Welch looked elated for Bautista winning his seventh fight in a row. With a couple more wins, he can aim to enter the top five and eventually fight for the UFC bantamweight title.
To be fair, Bautista has always been an active fighter inside the Octagon. His wins over Ricky SimĂłn and Jin Soo Son are great examples of the same. He possesses several tools, including shoulder strikes and knees that work like a charm during a clinch.
According to Welch, the American fighter kept it safe against Aldo to make sure he won the fight and got the full pay. While this is an understandable take, the coach was instantly called out for heavily criticizing Merab Dvalishvili’s wrestling-heavy game plan against O’Malley.
“People are pissed about it. But you got to remember, Mario’s got a family and if he loses the fight, he makes half the amount of money he would’ve if he would win the fight. He’s not going to make a crazy amount of money, a big win bonus, if he goes and sits and slugs it out and potentially gets KO’ed by one of the nastiest strikers ever. He went in there with good game plan, he came in in shape, he did what he had to do to win the fight and if you were in that position, you’d probably do the same.”
Some fans also pointed out that Dvalishvili was more active than Bautista. The UFC bantamweight champion not only secured several takedowns at UFC 306 but also remained active on the ground. So, Welch favoring Bautista after rejecting Dvalishvili didn’t sit well with many.
Image: Tim Welch on YouTube
It is worth noting that Welch has recently admitted to “Machine” having a great game plan against O’Malley at UFC 306. However, it seems like most people in the MMA circle still remember him trying to claim “Suga” won and rooting for damage-based scoring in fights.
Bautista looked to take control of the action right away, bringing out a heavy leg kick attack â landing 23 of them in the first round. Additionally, Aldo seemed inactive outside of a few late shots, with the American landing his fair share and pinning the former featherweight champion against the fence more than once.
Aldo, however, landed a pair of harsh jabs, one of which busted Bautista open around one of his eyes. The Brazilian started to work his jabs and combinations. The 31-year-old, however, continued to bring forward pressure and looked to tire Aldo out further with his wrestling-based attack.
Bautista continued to bring his pressure into the third round. And while Aldo tried to get anything going, the #11-ranked contender continued to go for takedowns and use a wrestle-heavy approach, forcing Aldo to defend.
Also stop matching him up with up-and-comers like Martinez and Bautista? Utter waste of his last few years. He needs to be fighting guys like Cruz, Cejudo… Fun legacy fights with guys of his vintage. https://t.co/ETYcffLMex
After initially retiring in late 2022 following a loss to current UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, Aldo returned to the Octagon at UFC 301 this past May, defeating Jonathan Martinez. “Junior,” a former UFC featherweight champion, was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.
Bautista, meanwhile, entered tonight on a six-fight win streak, most recently defeating Ricky SimĂłn at the UFC Apex in January.
Two titles will be on the line at the top of the card, with Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against Khalil Rountree and Raquel Pennington staking the women’s bantamweight gold opposite Julianna Peña.
UFC 307 takes place Saturday, October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.
See above for a replay of the UFC 307Â Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (205lbs) vs. Khalil Rountree (205lbs)
Womenâs Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington (135lbs) vs. Julianna Peña (134.5lbs)
Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of surprise challenger Khalil Rountree if heâs to record a third successful title defense in 2024.
Bautista has earned the right to be Aldo’s second opponent since returning from a short-lived retirement this past May, with the pair set to collide on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view.
In Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, the former featherweight king got the better of a Jonathan Martinez who admitted the Brazilian’s aura and legend status put him off on fight night.
When it comes to that danger, Bautista has little doubt about his ability to eliminate any and all admiration he has for Aldo when the cage door closes behind him…
Bautista Not Affected By Facing Legend Like Aldo
During a recent interview for UFC.com, Bautista looked ahead to the opportunity to secure the biggest scalp of his career to date in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The #11-ranked bantamweight noted that he used to enjoy watching Aldo during his WEC days and has fond memories of his UFC battles with Chad Mendes.
But while those remarks could perhaps arise worries of Bautista falling to the same fate as Martinez, the 31-year-old dismissed that as a concern.
“I don’t think it’s going to be like that,” said Bautista. “I’ve never really felt like that. Yeah, it’s going to be my first time, but I think someone trying to knock me out and fighting me, I’m not going to let it just happen. I’m not that type of person. So I don’t care who you are, if you’re trying to fight, I’m always willing and ready.
“Hey, we’re in there to fight. You’re trying to take my money. We’re fighting for the same spot. It’s my turn now. You’ve had your turn,” Bautista continued. “I’m sorry. That’s just the way I look at it. Maybe I’ll feel differently afterwards, but, as of now, I have to break him.”
Weâre deep into UFC 307 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 5 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the headliners will be another title fight, with reigning bantamweight queen Raquel Pennington looking to record a first successful defense at the expense of returning former champ Julianna Peña.
The main card will also see the always entertaining Kevin Holland making the walk, as he shoots for the middleweight top 10 against Roman Dolidze.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 307 edition saw every fighter set to make the walk on the main card in two daysâ time with mic in hand.
Check out a full replay of the presser below via the UFCâs official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.
The main event will see Alex Pereira attempt to record his third successful title defense of 2024. Following on from knockout wins over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and JiĆĂ ProchĂĄzka at UFC 303, “Poatan” will headline another PPV, this time against a surprise challenger in #8-ranked light heavyweight Khalil Rountree.
Co-headlining will be another titleholder in Raquel Pennington, who returns nine months on from her crowning to defend the women’s bantamweight belt against fellow TUF 18 competitor Julianna Peña, who has been out of action for over two years.
Ahead of Saturdayâs UFC 307 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through six cards.
Thomas Albano (23-6)
Ryan Jarrell (17-12)
Kyle Dimond (15-14)
Andrew Starc (8-11)
Pranav Pandey (4-6)
Aakrit Sharma (2-3)
And with that, itâs time for the teamâs predictions for UFC 307.
Middleweight: Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: Holland up at middleweight against a grappler just seems like a recipe for disaster. Considering that Dolidze has fought up at light heavyweight, that only makes me more confident in him being able to take Holland down and hold him there. Enough said. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Ryan Jarrell: This is a tricky fight to pick because I can see paths both men have to a victory here. I think Holland is the more polished striker and could be able to get the better of Dolidze on the feet. But the Georgian is a wild man and can mix things up and make it very dangerous for Holland. I expect Dolidze to have the bigger moments in this fight. I want to say he wins via TKO but Holland is tough, so the pick is Dolidze by decision. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Thomas Albano: After his win over Anthony Smith, questions emerged about Roman Dolidze: will he try to go for another fight among the middleweight contender scene (after a loss to Nassourdine Imavov)? Or will he try his hand at 205 pounds again? Ultimately, he chooses the 185 route, replacing an injured Chris Curtis against Holland. “Big Mouth” has lost four of his last seven, though he enters off a win over MichaĆ Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302.
Nothing to say about this one other than striker vs. grappler â simple as that. If this fight gets to the ground, Holland is in trouble. Even if heâs improved his takedown defense game, Dolidze will be able to control the fight there. If Holland keeps the fight on the feet, then heâll be able to pick Dolidze apart. Admittedly, this is a coin flip, but I think Dolidze will have the chin and endurance to outlast Hollandâs strikes â and enough strength to take Holland to the ground. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Pranav Pandey: From what I can gather, this matchup promises to be a true 50/50 affair, with both fighters showcasing their unique and dynamic styles that have consistently led them to success. Dolidze seemed a bit derailed after suffering the first back-to-back losses of his career, but “The Caucasian” rebounded spectacularly with a dominant performance against Smith at UFC 303. The Georgian packs some serious power in his hands and is equally adept in grappling.
As for Holland, he enjoys a notable reach advantage and displays impressive fluidity in his footwork, complemented by solid takedown defense. However, my only concern with “Trailblazer” is that, in his recent fights, he hasnât appeared fully invested in competing and hasn’t looked as sharp as he once did. Despite this, you can never count Holland out. That said, I believe Dolidze will take this matchup, successfully keeping Holland at bay while leveraging his strengths. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)
Aakrit Sharma: There are ways for both Holland and Dolidze to emerge victorious here. Dolidze can utilize his size and wrestling to shut down his opponentâs offense, while Holland can rely on his speed and movement to overwhelm the Georgian on the feet. Holland has only suffered one TKO loss in his career, while Dolidze has never been finished via strikes or submission. Iâm predicting the fight goes the distance and Holland wins via decision. Even if he gets taken down, âTrailblazerâ has the potential to pull out a submission. (Prediction: Kevin Holland)
Consensus: 4-1 Roman Dolidze
Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: I struggle to see how Vieira is able to make this fight competitive once Harrison gets hold of her. The big question ahead of her debut at UFC 300 was making bantamweight and, sure, it likely wasnât an easy cut, but she made the weight and looked good inside the Octagon. The bantamweight division needs a big performance from her and a just as important post-fight interview. I donât see anyone causing her too many problems in this division right now. I predict she’ll find a second-round TKO in Utah. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Ryan Jarrell: The odds in this fight make it pretty hard to go against the American. We all know the insane skillset that Harrison possesses. I do think Vieira is a live underdog here, and I can see her surprising the masses and pulling off the upset. But that doesnât mean I feel confident enough to pick her to beat the two-time Olympic gold medalist. Give me Harrison to win via second-round submission. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Thomas Albano: There are plenty of people who feel Harrison should have been the one challenging for the womenâs bantamweight title this weekend. But Peña played her cards right and it paid off. So Harrison, just in her second UFC fight, has to go against another dangerous name in the womenâs 135-pound division in Vieira. The Brazilian, meanwhile, has won three of her last four, though she hasnât fought since the summer of 2023. Vieraâs most recent win came against Pannie Kianzad, and her other victories were decisions over Holm and Miesha Tate. Her only loss in this span? Raquel Pennington â the current champ.
Stylistically, this could be a really good fight considering Vieira, with her own skillset in judo and jiu-jitsu, could try to have a grappling battle with the two-time Olympic gold medalist â or try to use striking to counter Harrisonâs game. That said, Harrison is just so good all around, putting that on display against Holm after building herself up with a pair of title wins in the PFL (and coming just short of a third). Harrison should be able to win this one and lock up a guaranteed shot against the Pennington vs. Peña winner. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Pranav Pandey: I think this could be one of the most lopsided matchups weâll witness on Saturday night. Vieira is undeniably tough and has a solid grappling foundation, but the real question is whether she can keep someone like Harrison grounded â and if so, for how long? In my opinion, Harrisonâs sheer dominance is likely too overwhelming for the Brazilian to manage, making it an uphill battle for Vieira from the start. The two-time Olympic gold medalist will bring a fierce intensity no matter where the fight unfolds. Whether it’s on the feet, on the mat, or anywhere in between, her dynamic style is set to take control at every turn. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Aakrit Sharma: Now that we know Harrison can make weight for the UFC womenâs bantamweight division, I do not doubt sheâll be champion by the end of 2025, especially in Nunes’ absence. Harrison should rely on the same game plan that helped her win her UFC debut against Holly Holm, the wrestling. However, fighting at altitude following a brutal weight cut could be a problem for the Olympian and she should avoid trading shots with Vieira as the Brazilian possesses decent power and accuracy on the feet for the division.
Although Vieira boasts 93 percent takedown defense in the UFC, sheâs yet to face someone as powerful and experienced as Harrison. Thanks to the constant takedown threat, Vieira might not be as comfortable and fluid on the feet as well, helping Harrison get an unexpected KO victory. (Prediction: Kayla Harrison)
Ryan Jarrell: Father Time has a pretty good track record unless your Tom Brady. But this is not football, and Bautista is a hungry, young Lion looking to make his mark against the legend in Aldo. This fight will be very competitive and Aldo will have his moments, but I believe Bautista is diverse enough to win a decision in what could be Fight of the Night. (Prediction: Mario Bautista)
Thomas Albano: Just when we thought Aldoâs time in the Octagon was done, he comes back earlier this year to put on a solid performance against Martinez. Now, Aldo gets a lower-ranked contender in Bautista. Despite the Brazilianâs age and brief retirement, he has won four of five fights heâs had since December 2020. The only loss in that span came against current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. Bautista, meanwhile, is sporting a six-fight win streak that includes submissions of Brian Kelleher and Benito Lopez, as well as a decision over Ricky SimĂłn in his most recent outing.
Pranav Pandey: Thereâs no slowing down the âKing of Rio.â After his return at UFC 301 following a hiatus, Aldo reminded everyone exactly why heâs held in such legendary esteem. The Brazilian icon masterfully dismantled Martinez, showcasing his trademark distance control and fluid in-and-out striking, leaving his opponent with little room to counter. Despite entering the sunset years of his illustrious career, the former 145-pound kingpin remains fully engaged, showing no signs of losing his edge. But while itâs tough for me to go against Aldo, Bautista presents a serious challenge.
The American brings a well-rounded grappling game, seamlessly blending feints with takedowns, and has been on an impressive run lately. The real question, though, is whether Bautista can apply enough pressure to disrupt Aldo’s rhythm. I believe he can. Bautistaâs youth, freshness, and relentless pace, coupled with the potential impact of Utahâs altitude, could very well wear Aldo down and make it difficult for him to keep up with such a high-octane style. (Prediction: Mario Bautista)
Aakrit Sharma: This is my FOTN contender for UFC 307. The Bautista that showed up in the third round against SimĂłn was truly special. The pace, the volume, the accuracy, and the timing would trouble anyone in the UFC menâs bantamweight division. Bautista is dangerous because he has several tools in his arsenal. He can kick, strike, and most importantly, hurt you with knees and elbows. For the rising American prospect, the path to victory should be to keep Aldo in the clinch and land in the pocket as much as possible. He has a great ground game and takedown defense, but itâs unlikely to work against Aldo, who also boasts one of the highest takedown defense rates in UFC history.
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: This one is a really tough one to call. I think Peña at her best is probably better than Pennington, and I think Iâd lean that way if it was over three rounds. This is one Iâve gone back and forth on and I can totally see another grinding performance from Pennington to retain the title. But, Iâm gonna back Peña. My major concern is that she doesnât have a win over anyone in the UFC righ tnow. However, many of Penningtonâs wins havenât been massively impressive either, so maybe that will level things out. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Ryan Jarrell: The dislike these two ladies have for one another will add to the build-up of this fight. However, I think the bout itself will be somewhat of a snooze fest. Mostly, because I believe Peña will dominate the wrestling and grappling exchanges and spend a lot of time in top control. I expect “The Venezuelan Vixen” to win a decision here. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Thomas Albano: Itâs not the most popular choice of fight, but thereâs credit that has to be given out. The unpopular manner Pennington won the womenâs bantamweight championship at the start of the year does not fall all on her. And though Peña has not fought since UFC 277, and has complained about not receiving a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes, sheâs got another opportunity at the title now. In fairness, Peña did score one of MMAâs greatest upsets when she finished Nunes at UFC 269. There is certainly merit to her game. Pennington, meanwhile, was pretty dominant when she won the then-vacant title at UFC 297 in a fight with Mayra Bueno Silva that went the distance â a fight that honestly showed Bueno Silva did not belong there.
These two ladies are two of the best that the UFCâs 135-pound division has to offer. Both these two also have history with one another as members of Team Tate during season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter – which Peña won, with Pennington falling in the semifinals. Pennington is the defending champion and is on a six-fight win streak, but I feel that Peña just has more power, a better well-rounded skillset, and better wins and experience in terms of competition. That may probably play out on Saturday night with âThe Venezuelan Vixenâ getting the gold back. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Pranav Pandey: This matchup between Pennington and Peña is one that, in my view, could swing in either direction at any moment. Pennington, the reigning champion, comes in riding the wave of a five-fight win streak. Known for her relentless pace, “Rocky” brings a high-volume striking game that methodically wears down her opponents over the course of a fight. However, Penningtonâs lack of knockout power often pushes her bouts to go the distance, which could be a disadvantage against someone as tough and relentless as Peña.
“The Venezuelan Vixen” is a durable powerhouse with an unwavering pace, constantly pressuring her adversaries with ceaseless activity. Sheâs not the type to let her opponents settle into their rhythm easily, and against someone like Pennington, sheâll be looking to turn this into a gritty war. The way I see it, Pennington will undoubtedly have her moments of success, but Peña possesses the full arsenal needed to prevail and reclaim the championship. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Aakrit Sharma: As a womenâs UFC fighter, itâs hard to have a bigger flex than beating Nunes. However, the rematch being a complete shutout definitely hurt Peñaâs brand, with many questioning this title shot against Pennington. I do believe Peña to be tough and skilled enough to grab the belt from “Rocky,” though.
“The Venezuelan Vixen” should benefit greatly from setting the pace of the fight early on and mixing things up, as taking down the UFC womenâs bantamweight champion wonât be an easy task. Sheâll have to give the champ several things to worry about for winning on the scorecards as I donât think either of them will be finished. My pick for this one is Peña winning by decision. (Prediction: Julianna Peña)
Consensus: 5-0 Julianna Peña
UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: I like watching Rountree a lot. His striking style is tons of fun to watch. He also certainly has the power and skill to knock anyone in this division out. I would have liked to have seen the Jamahal Hill fight first, though, because frankly, Iâm not sure I could back anyone to beat Pereira when their best win is Anthony Smith.
Rountree is dangerous, but when youâre talking about Pereira, youâre talking about an all-time great in kickboxing. âPoatanâ could get caught if heâs overly aggressive, but I think heâll pick Rountree apart before ending it in the second. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Ryan Jarrell: Iâm excited for this fight. We all know the power that both of these guys possess. It should make for an exciting finish one way or another. As much as I like Rountree, I just donât see him as a champion. I think the four-inch reach advantage that Pereira has will be the difference in this fight. Give me “Poatan” via second-round TKO. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Thomas Albano: I donât want to come off like a Rountree hater â he has seemed like a cool dude in the interviews that he does. And stylistically, this fight can be fun considering how these two can be creative and powerful as strikers. Having said that (and yes, I know the UFCâs ranking system is skewed, but neverthelessâŠ) why is the #8 contender getting a title shot? I truly feel that the UFC probably wanted Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway for this card. But with that fight moved to UFC 308, and the UFC probably wanting a better headliner than Pennington vs. Peña, they called up Pereira to save their butts (again).
Pereira has retained the light heavyweight title against JiĆĂ ProchĂĄzka and Jamahal Hill. Rountreeâs win streak, meanwhile, has seen him go through the likes of Smith, Chris Daukaus, and Karl Roberson. This will be a calculated kickboxing-style matchup as both men look for the key opportunity to land a devastating shot on the other. Unfortunately for Rountree, Pereiraâs strikes are just too powerful, and heâs dominated against much stronger competition. Youâll see a frenzy if Rountree gets the win (lest anything else in the second half of 2024 UFC be crazier), but Pereira should probably take this in the first six minutes or so. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Pranav Pandey: From where I stand, this clash is one of the most direct and explosive matchups on the UFC 307 card. With both Pereira and Rountree being strikers, I don’t foresee any room for grappling or takedowns coming into play. Rountree has proven time and again that he can weather the storm against elite-tier kickboxers, and respond with even greater force. “The War Horse” boasts a lethal kicking arsenal, complemented by knockout power in his fists. However, ‘Poatan’ is far from an ordinary kickboxer, having carved a path through several former champions during his brief yet immensely successful tenure in the Octagon.
“Poatan’s” exceptional fight IQ and thunderous striking ability allow him to methodically dismantle his opponents. Rountree will need to close the distance early to nullify Pereira’s reach, but doing so may leave him dangerously exposed to Pereira’s counters, particularly his devastating left hook. I believe Pereiraâs significant reach advantage, along with the unrelenting ferocity in his attacks, will overwhelm Rountree and make it incredibly difficult for him to land his best shots. The Brazilianâs calculated pressure and ability to dictate the fightâs tempo will likely cause Rountree to unravel under the onslaught. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Aakrit Sharma: Yes, Rountree can pull off a huge upset against Pereira if he lands a good shot. Will he, though? âPoatanâ just looks unstoppable at the moment, and it seems to be a matter of time before he finds his opponent’s chin one way or another. Considering Glover Teixeira corners and trains Pereira, I actually wonât be surprised if the UFC light heavyweight champ shoots for a takedown and showcases some of his wrestling. Considering heâs already mastered striking and kickboxing, Iâm sure Pereira focuses a lot on filling the holes in his game to prepare for opponents like Magomed Ankalaev.
Rountreeâs a great striker and his momentum through a five-fight win streak is undeniable. âThe War Horseâ can trouble the champ with leg kicks and powerful shots, but I simply donât see anyone taking out Pereira on the feet. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Consensus: 5-0 Alex Pereira
Thatâll do it for our UFC 307 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 307 card below.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree
Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña
The next UFC heavyweight title fight would appear to be pitting arguably the greatest of all time against the best fighter we have seen in this weight class inside the Octagon.
Despite the pedigree that both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic bring to the table, there are two other names that the majority of fans would rather see face off with “Bones”.
Interim champion Tom Aspinall is seen by many as the future of the division and with his speed and ability to finish fights, he’s a test that many want to see Jones face.
Though he may have never competed at this weight, the idea of seeing light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira move up is another incredibly enticing prospect following the run that he has been on, which has turned him into one of the biggest names in the sport.
Mario Bautista Gives His Take On How Alex Pereira, Tom Aspinall & Jon Jones Match Up
The bantamweight contender spoke in a recent interview with MMA News about whether he thinks Pereira would be able to mix it up with the heavyweight division’s two current champions.
He explained why, in his opinion, Aspinall would be the tougher match-up for the elite striker at 205-pounds.
“It’s hard to say, it’s very interesting you know. He has that power and I think Jon Jones did fight at 205 too so I’d give him a shot at Jon Jones. Tom Aspinall, he can move pretty fast for how big he is so that’s the iffy one for me.”
In a follow-up question, Bautista was asked whether this means that based on MMA math, he would also pick Aspinall to beat Jones, therefore seeing him come out on top in this little fantasy round-robin tournament.
“I think he could. Tom Aspinall, for how big he is and how fast he moves, I don’t think Jon Jones has kind of seen anything like that so I would go with Tom on that one.”
Aldo returned from a short-lived retirement on home soil this past May, outpointing Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. Having fought out his contract, uncertainty surrounded “Junior’s” status and future plans.
But in spite of boxing talk, Ag. Fight reported this week that the Brazilian has committed to another outing inside the Octagon.
BREAKING! UFC encaminha Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista para o dia 5 de outubro
Aldo Targets Second Win Since Return, Harrison Looks For Second UFC Win Since PFL Switch
Should these two matchups be confirmed, both Aldo and Harrison will be looking to build on strong outings in the first half of this year.
Aldo (32-8) originally brought his MMA career to an end after his pursuit of a second bantamweight title shot was stalled by Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 in August 2022. Prior to that, he’d reeled off three straight wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font.
The ex-featherweight kingpin, who fell short of two-division glory opposite Petr Yan in the summer of 2020, went on to compete in three boxing matches, winning two and fighting to a majority draw against fellow UFC vet Jeremy Stephens.
He subsequently made his successful comeback to the cage in Rio this year, returning to the rankings at #8 as a result. He’s next tasked with defending his position on the ladder against the #12-ranked Bautista (14-2), a teammate of champion Sean O’Malley’s who has had his hand raised in six consecutive bouts. His most recent triumph came at the expense of Ricky SimĂłn this past January.
Image: Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC
Harrison (17-1) transitioned from judo, a sport in which she collected back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, to mixed martial arts and joined the PFL. After winning two lightweight seasons, her bid for a third title came to a halt in the final opposite Larissa Pacheco.
After returning with a victory over Aspen Ladd last November, the Ohio native committed to a UFC switch and a venture down at bantamweight. That foray got underway in strong style this past April, where she thrilled the UFC 300 crowd by submitting a former champion in Holly Holm.
Having entered the title picture at #3, Harrison will need to get through the #2-ranked Vieira (14-3) if she’s to book her first championship opportunity in the UFC. The Brazilian is coming off a decision victory over Pannie Kianzad in July 2023, a result that saw her bounce back from a narrow defeat at the hands of now-champ Raquel Pennington.
With these additions, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC 307 on October 5 are as follows:
Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
