MMA News

Tag: UFC 307

  • Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker

    Alex Pereira’s Last Kickboxing Rival Claims He’s Not MMA’s Top Striker

    The main event of UFC 307 was a fun fight but ultimately, the elite level striking of Alex Pereira was too much for Khalil Rountree. As a former two-weight world champion in GLORY kickboxing, the current light heavyweight champion is one of the best strikers in the history of MMA.

    Ahead of his latest title defense, “Poatan” was asked about other kickboxers following in the footsteps of him and Israel Adesanya and there was one name that was mentioned specifically. Artem Vakhitov was the last man to beat Pereira in kickboxing, winning a majority decision back in 2021 after the Brazilian got the nod the first time around.

    Now, he’s hoping to carve out his own path in mixed martial arts.

    Artem Vakhitov Says That Alex Pereira Is Too Limited To Be Considered The Best Striker In MMA Today

    After suffering an injury on his MMA debut, Vakhitov has earned consecutive first-round finishes and will now fight for a spot on the UFC roster.

    He faces Islem Masraf on this week’s edition of Dana White’s Contender Series where his 2-1 pro record will be overlooked due to his kickboxing background and history with the current light heavyweight champion.

    Despite now having his own experiences with adapting to MMA, Vakhitov doesn’t believe that his former foe is the best striker in the sport today.

    He said to Submission Radio that “Poatan” can’t be in the conversation due to his reliance on his signature strike, the left hook.

    “I don’t think he’s really the best striker because to have just one good punch, it doesn’t mean that he’s really good striker. The real striker is someone who has a lot of combinations, very different opportunities. He just taught well one punch and delivering it but it doesn’t mean that having good distance and other stuff so I think he’s not really good striker because of it.”

    When asked who he would pick as the best striker in MMA today if it isn’t Pereira, he provided one name who will headline UFC 308 later this month.

    “I like the style of Max Holloway but I really couldn’t say who’s really the best one. I like who he’s fighting and I believe he could be the best one.”

    Read also: Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

  • Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

    Tom Aspinall Significant Favorite For Potential Alex Pereira Fight After UFC 307

    Alex Pereira’s latest victorious performance didn’t do enough to convince oddsmakers that he could be competitive against the UFC’s interim heavyweight king.

    Pereira boosted his claim for 2024’s Fighter of the Year by recording a third successful title defense in quick succession at Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view in Utah.

    Having turned away threats to his reign from Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka, Salt Lake City’s Delta Center played host to Pereira’s return, as he was tasked with stalling the title ambitions of Khalil Rountree.

    Despite being down two rounds early on, “Poatan” ultimately achieved that feat by rallying to brutally stop “The War Horse” in round four.

    While celebrations in the Brazilian’s camp will be ongoing, talk has unsurprisingly turned to what could lie next in his future.

    Aspinall vs. Pereira Odds Have ‘Poatan’ At +300

    There appears to be three options for Pereira: a continued stay at 205 pounds to defend his belt, a return to middleweight in pursuit of regaining the 185-pound title, or an attempt at history up at heavyweight.

    When it comes to the last of those options — which doesn’t seem to be on the table judging by Pereira’s post-fight remarks — oddsmakers are evidently not fancying the light heavyweight champ’s chances.

    Future odds posted by BetOnline.ag have Pereira as a significant +300 underdog in a possible bout with Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall.

    Aspinall has held the interim gold since last November. He’s been unable to unify the title owing to Jon Jones’ reluctance to fight him, with “Bones” and the UFC instead favoring a rescheduled showdown with Stipe Miocic next month.

    In the meantime, the Brit has successfully defended his strap against Curtis Blaydes this past summer. Should Jones retain his place on the throne and subsequently retire this year, Aspinall could find himself promoted to undisputed status.

  • Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

    Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

    Kayla Harrison may have extended her undefeated UFC record this past weekend, but not everything went her way second time around inside the Octagon.

    Five months on from an emphatic arrival at the expense of former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, Harrison returned for her second taste of action on MMA’s biggest stage at UFC 307.

    Saturday’s pay-per-view main card opened with the two-time PFL title winner facing off against the #2-ranked Ketlen Vieira, who didn’t go away in the fashion that her underdog odds perhaps would have suggested.

    And although there was little doubt about who would have their hand raised after three rounds, the Brazilian did have moments of success, including a clean elbow in the clinch that bust Harrison open.

    Harrison Reacts To Adversity In UFC 307 Fight After Eating Brutal Elbow

    During her post-fight press conference, Harrison reflected on her successful performance in Salt Lake City, which has seen her start life in the UFC with consecutive wins over top-five opposition.

    While she was able to steamroll through Holm en route to a submission, the Ohio native had to settle for a hard-fought decision on Oct. 5. And it even left Harrison tasting something new inside the cage — her own blood.

    “That threw me, I’m not going to lie to you. Nineteen fights in, I’ve never seen my own blood in the cage. But it feels good,” Harrison said. “I feel like I’m going to grow from this tonight. It’s a really good learning opportunity for me, and tomorrow, we’re going to go back to the house, rewatch the fight and dissect it. Tomorrow’s a new day – lots of room for improvement for me.”

    Although she didn’t put the kind of stamp on her UFC 307 performance that she had anticipated, Harrison’s third outing in the promotion is still expected to come with gold on the line.

    Newly crowned queen Julianna Peña snubbed the two-time Olympic gold medalist post-fight, however, instead making good on her promise to call out retired former opponent Amanda Nunes.

  • Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

    Khalil Rountree Reflects On Brutal Loss To Alex Pereira At UFC 307: ‘Didn’t Win The Title But I Grew’ 

    Khalil Rountree had nothing but respect for victorious opponent Alex Pereira following their title fight at UFC 307 this past weekend.

    The pair headlined Saturday’s pay-per-view in Salt Lake City, battling for the right to exit the Delta Center as UFC light heavyweight champion.

    Defending king “Poatan” was heavily favored to do so, having already turned away threats to his reign from Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka this year. Rountree, though, turned out to be the Brazilian’s toughest test to date.

    The challenger got off to a strong start, winning the opening two rounds on all three scorecards. But after getting on the board in round three, Pereira went to work in the fourth frame.

    An onslaught of strikes left Rountree’s face swollen and bloodied, and Pereira was ultimately able to close the show in what marked his first taste of the championship rounds since capturing the middleweight crown almost two years ago.

    Rountree Releases First Statement On UFC 307 Title Defeat

    Soon after having his title ambitions stalled in the “Beehive State,” Rountree took to social media to reflect on the result and experience.

    Following his failure to unseat Pereira, “The War Horse” paid tribute to “Poatan,” thanking the Brazilian for bringing out a “new version” of him at UFC 307.

    “I didn’t win the title but I grew last night. @alexpoatanpereira thanks for helping me see that I’m ready to take on the world,” Rountree wrote. “You showed amazing skill, you brought out a version of me that I needed to experience. You’re the champ for a reason, much respect. But I now know what I am capable of.

    “#saltlakecity you guys were amazing and gave me such a memorable experience. I appreciate all of the positive messages from everyone around the world. @danawhite @espn @espnmma and the entire @ufc staff, thanks for giving me a home, a place to have purpose and providing me with challenges to overcome,” Rountree continued. “Brazil 🇧🇷 you guys have a strong champion, be proud. I will take time to heal from this, I’ll be back even better, it’s inevitable. I’m grateful. Never give up on yourself, always fight hard, uplift your communities and find ways to make the most out of life.”

    It remains to be seen what lies ahead for Rountree, who was granted his first shot at title glory on MMA’s biggest stage from #8 in the rankings.

    With that, an upset win would have marked the 34-year-old as the lowest-ranked fighter to capture gold in their division. And although that didn’t come to fruition, things initially looked promising through 10 minutes.

  • Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson Releases First Statement After Knockout Loss To Joaquin Buckley At UFC 307

    Stephen Thompson and Joaquin Buckley fought in the UFC 307 prelims and after two competitive rounds, “Wonderboy” was knocked out in the third. This was just the second KO/TKO loss of his career.

    Interestingly, Buckley took out Thompson with a leaping overhand right preceded by a literal jump. Five years ago, Anthony Pettis launched himself with the help of the cage and knocked out the Karate specialist with a similar bouncing superman punch.

    The former UFC welterweight title challenger was doing great until he wasn’t, though. Here’s what he said after the crushing KO loss at UFC 307…

    Stephen Thompson Looks Back At First KO Loss To Anthony Pettis As Joaquin Buckley Used A Similar Technique At UFC 307

    “Wonderboy” took to Twitter recently to discuss his second UFC loss in a row. He admitted to not remembering how he got to the hotel and was humble in defeat as usual.

    The veteran simply wanted to thank the fans for their continued support. Salt Lake City is known for its energetic crowd which, contrary to many other venues, shows up even before the main card begins. UFC 307 was no different, and Thompson seemed delighted with the fans cheering during his walkout.

    The American fighter also pointed out that both KO losses in his career resulted from overhand rights. While Pettis used the Octagon to gain momentum, Buckley backed up “Wonderboy” against the cage to land the knockout punch.

    “Just got back to the hotel, although we don’t know how I got here. But again, I get knocked out by an overhand. Once by Pettis, either on the cage or off the cage. Either way, it is what it is. I want to say thank you to all of my fans. You guys really showed out for me as I walked out there. You guys have shown me so much support over the years and I really do appreciate it.”

    Based on the scorecards revealed later, it seems like the third round would’ve decided the outcome of the fight. Derek Cleary had it 19-19 going into the third while Sal D’Amato and Stephen Faragher had it 20-18 for Buckley and Thompson, respectively.

  • ‘That Is A Terrifying Man’ – Fans React As Alex Pereira Comes From Behind To Mangle Khalil Rountree With Strikes At UFC 307

    ‘That Is A Terrifying Man’ – Fans React As Alex Pereira Comes From Behind To Mangle Khalil Rountree With Strikes At UFC 307

    Khalil Rountree brought a challenge, but Alex Pereira managed to bring out another legendary performance — comeback style this time — as he finished the challenger to retain the UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 307.

    Rountree got off to a strong start with his activity, landing singular shots and doing a good job of getting away from the fence. Pereira was doing work with leg kicks, but he found himself in some trouble in the second round. “The War Horse” rocked “Poatan” with a strong right hook and followed that up by landing a big head kick.

    Rountree, however, appeared to be gassed by this point. Pereira, sensing a tired out foe, picked things back up in the third frame. The Brazilian worked his jab and landed combinations, finding openings and busting up Rountree’s nose.

    Pereira’s output increased greatly in the fourth round, as he poured it on and continued to damage his challenger — to the point his nose may have been broken.

    “The War Horse” tried to survive, but with blood pouring down his rocked body, Pereira landed a combination with a pair of body shots that dropped him, bringing the fight to a stop.

    Alex Pereira Puts On Battering To Finish Khalil Rountree In Fourth Round At UFC 307

    Moving up to light heavyweight last year after his middleweight title run came to an end, Pereira captured the then-vacant championship with a win over Jiří Procházka at UFC 295. He then defended the title this year against Jamahal Hill and Procházka at UFC 300 and 303, respectively.

    Rountree, meanwhile, entered his first title challenge on a five-fight win streak. He had most recently fought in December, scoring a finish of Anthony Smith.

  • UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree 

    UFC 307 Results & Highlights: Alex Pereira TKOs Khalil Rountree 

    UFC 307 took place tonight from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Khalil Rountree. While in the co-main event, Raquel Pennington looked to defend her women’s bantamweight title against former champ Julianna Peña. 

    UFC 307 Results: Main Card

    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via TKO: R4, 4.32
    • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington via split decision (48-47×2, 47-48)
    • Bantamweight: Mario Bautista def. José Aldo via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland via TKO (injury stoppage): R1, 5.00 
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28) 

    Preliminary Card

    • Welterweight: Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson via KO: R3, 2.17
    • Women’s Strawweight: Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)  
    • Lightweight: Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28×2, 27-30)  
    • Middleweight: César Almeida def. Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Early Preliminary Card

    • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission: R1, 1.35
    • Women’s Strawweight: Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza via unanimous decision (29-28×2, 30-27) 
    • Welterweight: Court McGee def. Tim Means via submission: R1, 3.19

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Court McGee def. Tim Means

    Court McGee earned the first finish of UFC 307 with a rear-naked choke submission of Tim Means in the first round of their welterweight bout.

    Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux

    In this light heavyweight bout, Ryan Spann submitted Ovince Saint Preux with a guillotine choke early in the first round.

    Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson

    Joaquin Buckley kept his undefeated welterweight record in tact with a KO of Stephen Thompson in the third round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira

    In this women’s bantamweight bout, Kayla Harrison earned her second UFC win with a unanimous decision against Ketlen Vieira.

    Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland

    After Kevin Holland sustained a rib injury, the ringside doctor deemed him unfit to fight and therefore Roman Dolidze was awarded a TKO win at the end of the first round.

    Mario Bautista def. José Aldo

    In this bantamweight bout, Mario Bautista got it done via split decision against José Aldo.

    Julianna Peña def. Raquel Pennington

    In the co-main event, Julianna Peña earned a split decision win against Raquel Pennington to reclaim the women’s bantamweight crown.

    Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree

    In the main event, Alex Pereira retained his light heavyweight title with a TKO of Khalil Rountree.

  • ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307

    ‘Save Us Amanda Nunes’ – Fans React As Julianna Peña Overcomes Knockdown To Win Bantamweight Title Again At UFC 307

    Julianna Peña regained the UFC women’s bantamweight title with a split decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307.

    The judges saw the fight 48-47 across all three cards, though they differed on the victor. In the end, it was the closely contested opening round that decided the fight, with two of the three cageside scorers leaning the way of the challenger.

    The two fighters were very competitive with one another, with Peña’s highlight being a back take in the third round that ended with a face crank attempt.

    By far the most significant strike of the bout was landed in the fourth frame by “Rocky,” who — after having success with her hands — dropped the challenger.

    Pennington followed up this big moment by attempting a submission that allowed Peña to recover, but she maintained the pressure to win the fifth round on all of the cards.

    MMA Fans React To Julianna Peña’s Title-Winning Performance At UFC 307

    The fight saw Peña return from a long layoff, having not fought since her rematch with Amanda Nunes, which she emphatically lost in July 2022.

    During the post-fight interview, Joe Rogan prompted the new champion to talk about Kayla Harrison and her win earlier on in the night. Instead, Peña spoke about bringing “The Lioness” back to the Octagon for a trilogy fight.

    MMA fans reacted to the close fight that stayed in one gear for the majority of the duration on social media.

    https://twitter.com/jonerici/status/1842783071428338101
    https://twitter.com/JayLawdog1562/status/1842785412437229919
  • ‘Dirt Decision’ – Conor McGregor & Others Take Issue With Judges As José Aldo Falls Short At UFC 307

    ‘Dirt Decision’ – Conor McGregor & Others Take Issue With Judges As José Aldo Falls Short At UFC 307

    José Aldo came close but ultimately fell short in a decision at UFC 307, losing to Mario Bautista.

    Bautista looked to take control of the action right away, bringing out a heavy leg kick attack — 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.

    Mario Bautista Stalls Title Plans Of Former Champion José Aldo Via Split Decision At UFC 307

    https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1842769765942898824?t=Eluc9alfEO2yQYTGP9TjpA&s=19
    https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1842769386714648635
    https://twitter.com/TomTaylorWrites/status/1842768540635406750

    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 Simón at the UFC Apex in January.

  • Conor McGregor Lays Into Kevin Holland After Rib Injury Cuts UFC 307 Fight Short: ‘Didn’t Even F**king Try?’

    Conor McGregor Lays Into Kevin Holland After Rib Injury Cuts UFC 307 Fight Short: ‘Didn’t Even F**king Try?’

    Kevin Holland’s second fight since returning to the middleweight division ended in unfortunate circumstances at UFC 307.

    “Trailblazer” met Roman Dolidze, who was able to secure a takedown in the opening round after taking this fight as a replacement for Chris Curtis.

    During a scramble on the ground, Holland injured his rib and was in clear pain but was able to make it to the horn following some heavy ground-and-pound from the Georgian fighter.

    In-between rounds, “Big Mouth” spoke to his coach Bob Perez about the injury as his corner asked him whether he could continue.

    Referee Jason Herzog gave them some time to make the call and before the second stanza got underway, the Holland corner confirmed that he couldn’t continue.

    Conor McGregor Criticizes Kevin Holland For Mid-Fight Injury Stoppage

    In a quickly deleted post on X, Conor McGregor reacted to Holland’s injury and criticized the fan favorite for not attempting to continue.

    “The Notorious” is no stranger to having fights stopped due to an injury and, in his opinion, “Big Mouth” should have at least tried to resume the contest before withdrawing.

    The call wasn’t made by Holland, who undoubtedly would have tried to continue if the decision was up to him.

    “Didn’t even f*cking try? Nah that is ridiculous! Go out again and see how is. If folds up again then you end it with the towel. Nah that’s not it for me folks. Holland is a solid veteran he well should have went out and gave it shot to see how he was. Wrong move.”

  • ‘Looked Beatable’ – Fans Split As Kayla Harrison Outworks Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    ‘Looked Beatable’ – Fans Split As Kayla Harrison Outworks Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    Kayla Harrison faced some adversity thanks to Ketlen Vieira’s game but still managed to score a decision win at UFC 307, potentially setting herself up to face the winner of tonight’s Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña women’s bantamweight title fight.

    The fight’s opening round was fairly quiet, with Harrison looking to find an opening. The two-time PFL champion managed to get Vieira pinned against the fence, but the Brazilian successfully defended against the takedown and was able to work herself off. The final minute, however, saw Harrison land a big takedown and get in top position, searching for a submission and landing a vicious elbow before the horn.

    Harrison maintained her control of the fight’s pacing through the second round, but Vieira landed a damaging elbow late in the round that left a hematoma on the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

    By the halfway mark of the third round, Harrison was able to bloody up Vieira and scored another takedown, doing work in the #2-ranked contender’s guard.

    Kayla Harrison Faces Challenges But Still Gets Judges’ Nod Over Ketlen Vieira At UFC 307

    https://twitter.com/dillondanis/status/1842756023607607737

    Harrison signed with the UFC in January 2024 after starting her MMA career with the PFL, becoming a two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion in the process. The 34-year-old made her Octagon debut at UFC 300, finishing Holly Holm.

    Vieira, meanwhile, had won three of her last four entering Saturday’s event in Salt Lake City, which included wins over former champions Holm and Miesha Tate. She had most recently fought in July 2023, defeating Pannie Kianzad by decision in England.

  • VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    VIDEO: Joaquin Buckley Knocks Out Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson With Late Leaping Hook At UFC 307

    Joaquin Buckley earned his biggest win to date at UFC 307 as he stopped Stephen Thompson in dramatic fashion in the third round.

    “New Mansa” extended his winning streak in the welterweight division to five after becoming the second man to finish “Wonderboy” with strikes in the UFC.

    After many in the community had Buckley down two rounds following a vintage performance from Thompson — only one judge agreed, with the others having it 19-19 and 20-18 Buckley entering the final frame — the 30-year-old threw everything he had into a big leaping right hand that landed clean against the fence, ending the fight instantly.

    In his post-fight interview, Buckley called to face former champion Kamaru Usman, who has been out of action since his late-notice fight with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last October.

    Buckley Stops Thompson In Display Of Explosive Power At UFC 307

    Buckley was able to turn the tide of the fight with one big shot. Now, he will likely compete in a big matchup toward the top of the ladder next time out amid his win streak at 170 pounds.

    Check out the highlight reel finish below, as Buckley teed up the main card in Salt Lake City perfectly.

    https://twitter.com/Haduuuucken/status/1842745719347704013
  • ‘Get This Idiot Out The Cage’ – Fans Slam Referee For Unpunished Eye Pokes, Rapid Clinch Separations In UFC 307 Fight

    ‘Get This Idiot Out The Cage’ – Fans Slam Referee For Unpunished Eye Pokes, Rapid Clinch Separations In UFC 307 Fight

    Cesar Almeida got the win over Ihor Potieria in a fight that kicked off the televised portion of the UFC 307 prelims, but the story of the fight more revolves around the bout’s referee, Dave Seljestad.

    Within the first couple of rounds in the fight, Potieria was the victim of four eye pokes and a low blow. Under most circumstances, at least one point deduction would have been handed out.

    But in a world of MMA where referees are coming under fire for not enforcing the rules adequately, Seljestad’s work served as the latest prime example. The official did not even give as much as a hard warning during the course of these fouls.

    Stretching into the third frame, Seljestad also separated the two from the clinch multiple times after just a matter of seconds in the position. That drew baffled reactions from both the commentary team and fans inside the Delta Center.

    The widely criticized bout ultimately went Almeida’s way, with the Brazilian getting the nod from all three judges.

    Referee Slammed For Lack Of Rule Enforcement At UFC 307

    https://twitter.com/SignatureSuga/status/1842725444270858574
    https://twitter.com/May_twenty3rd/status/1842727945783369905

    With the win, Almeida rebounds from his UFC 302 loss to Roman Kopylov earlier this year, leaving him now 3-1 in the Octagon since coming over from Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Potieria, meanwhile, has now lost four of his last five fights.

  • VIDEO: Ryan Spann Snatches Quick Guillotine To Club & Sub ‘OSP’ At UFC 307

    VIDEO: Ryan Spann Snatches Quick Guillotine To Club & Sub ‘OSP’ At UFC 307

    Ryan Spann closed out the featured preliminary card at UFC 307 with a first-round submission win over Ovince Saint Preux.

    “Superman” and “OSP” engaged in some wild exchanges early on in the fight, which Spann got the better of.

    After hurting his veteran opponent with a clean right hand, he transitioned into a guillotine choke and was able to secure the tap in ruthless fashion.

    The submission saw Spann bounce back from a three-fight losing skid, making this his most recent win since he brutally finished Dominick Reyes at Madison Square Garden in 2022.

    Ryan Spann Follows Up Powerful Strikes With Quick Guillotine At UFC 307

    It was an impressive display from Spann, who got to showcase his striking and submission skills in the opening stanza.

    UFC 307 in Salt Lake City is well underway, kicking off with a first-round submission for Court McGee in the opening contest, Carla Esparza’s final UFC bout, and Spann’s fast triumph.

  • ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    Carla Esparza was given her flowers, but not a win, in her retirement fight during the early prelims at UFC 307, losing by decision to Tecia Pennington.

    The fight served as a rematch from both women’s time during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which Esparza went on to win and become the first UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza found herself in some trouble early in the opening round, as Pennington appeared to be ripping her apart on the feet, and her legs were battered by low kicks. Once the fight went to the ground, however, “Cookie Monster” was in complete control, maintaining top position for about three minutes.

    The second frame proved to be close, though Pennington had the upper hand in striking once again. Esparza’s striking picked up in the third stanza, and she could have finished Pennington had there been more time in the round.

    Pennington, however, continued to beat down the legs of Esparza, making her eat leg kick after leg kick.

    The judges ultimately gave the close fight to Pennington, with two 29-28 cards and a 30-27.

    Carla Esparza Retires Following Loss To Tecia Pennington At UFC 307

    “It’s been an amazing journey, these last 15 years,” Esparza said in the Octagon following the fight. “I’ve fought the best of the best. It’s not always easy. There’s ups and downs in this sport, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is the greatest sport in the world.”

    Esparza was given a tribute video following the fight.

    Esparza began her professional MMA career in 2010, going 6-2, including a pair of fights in Bellator, before finding a stride in the initial days of Invicta FC in 2012. At Invicta FC 4, Esparza defeated Bec Rawlings to become the inaugural strawweight champion of the promotion.

    By the next year, however, “Cookie Monster” would sign with the UFC and be a contestant on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which determined the UFC’s inaugural champion of its then-new women’s strawweight division.

    Esparza defeated Angela Hill, Pennington (then-Tecia Torres), and Jessica Penne before finishing Rose Namajunas to win the tournament and championship. Esparza subsequently lost the belt in her first defense at UFC 185, dropping it to Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

    The wrestling specialist went 3-3 in her next six fights before starting a noteworthy win streak in 2019, having her hand raised in six straight. That run was highlighted by a second-round finish of Yan Xiaonan and culminated in her beating Namajunas again at UFC 274 to become a two-time UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza, again, lost the title in her first defense, getting finished by current champ Weili Zhang at UFC 281. This was Esparza’s most recent fight prior to tonight, as she gave birth to her son in September 2023.

  • Alex Pereira’s Meteoric UFC Ascent Impresses Boxing Icon Teddy Atlas

    Alex Pereira’s Meteoric UFC Ascent Impresses Boxing Icon Teddy Atlas

    Few have experienced the kind of astronomical success in the UFC that Alex Pereira has in recent years, and his rapid ascent has left a renowned boxing trainer in awe.

    Although “Poatan’s” professional MMA debut in October 2015 didn’t unfold as expected, with a submission loss, he flew under the radar for nearly five years, aside from his highly successful kickboxing career. However, everything changed when Pereira signed with the UFC in 2021, and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

    Within a span of three years, Pereira achieved an astonishing feat, securing multiple knockout victories and competing in five title fights. He captured the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 281 and claimed the light heavyweight title at UFC 295. Furthermore, he successfully defended his 205-pound title twice in headlining bouts at marquee UFC events this year while stepping in on short notice.

    Teddy Atlas believes that what truly sets “Poatan” apart is not merely his popularity, but his fierce fighting style combined with a multitude of other factors.

    The New Face of the UFC

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Atlas offered high praise for Pereira’s skyrocketing popularity in the MMA realm. The famed boxing coach noted that the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion has established himself as the figurehead of the promotion, largely due to his consistent fight schedule and his aggressive fighting style.

    Atlas mentioned that what truly distinguishes Pereira, however, is that he achieved this status without engaging in disputes or excessive trash talk, distinguishing him from many of his peers.

    “I think Pereira is not just good; he’s scary good,” Atlas said. “He’s becoming a face, or better yet, the ‘Monster of the Midway,’ the monster of the UFC. He could become that star, and I think he has in the UFC.

    Without all the other gadgetry, without all the other bells and whistles, without the great ability to talk and wreak havoc with his words and controversy and sensationalism, he does it in the Octagon with his fists and with his legs.

    He does it with his look, his aura, that look, that stare, coupled with the results that come after—the dynamic results, the sensational extreme results that come after it. That is all you need to promote a superstar.”

    “Poatan” is set to defend his 205-pound title for the third time this year, facing Khalil Rountree Jr. in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 307 this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pereira is riding high after a sensational second-round knockout victory over former champion Jiri Prochazka in their rematch at UFC 303 this past June. With this triumph, he now holds an impressive 8-1 record in the UFC.

    • Read More: Israel Adesanya Explains Effectiveness Of Alex Pereira’s Unorthodox ‘Hammer’ Leg Kicks
  • Daniel Cormier Remembers Tough Training Session With Khalil Rountree

    Daniel Cormier Remembers Tough Training Session With Khalil Rountree

    Khalil Rountree has had a truly remarkable journey through life and martial arts that has led him all the way to UFC 307 this weekend. In his 15th Octagon appearance, he will look to leave Salt Lake City as the light heavyweight champion by dethroning Alex Pereira.

    Rountree has really come into his own in recent years as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers who doesn’t let opponents off the hook once he has them hurt.

    Though he doesn’t plan on using his grappling at the Delta Center, a former UFC champion recently told a story about how a bad experience in training, which ended up being a vital lesson, had Rountree questioning what he was doing.

    Training With a Young Khalil Rountree

    On their last preview of UFC 307 before fight night, Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen got together in Salt Lake City for another episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy.

    During the episode, Cormier revealed that he had trained with Rountree over ten years ago but couldn’t remember it whatsoever.

    He recapped the story of how he went hard on the newcomer to the sport with his wrestling pedigree which after some wise words from his coach, ended up being a positive experience for Rountree who was at the very beginning of his career.

    “I got a story about me and Khalil, I guess we trained together and I just didn’t know it. Way back in 2011, Wanderlei Silva’s gym. Brett Okamoto told me that Khalil told him that he had just started, guy walks in, we start sparring. I obviously don’t know how to spar at that time, it’s 2010.

    He goes, I completely just started wrestling him and he said that when it was over, he was like, ‘I think I’m done fighting forever.’ He said his coach goes up to him and goes, ‘go and Google his name,’ saw my credentials in wrestling and was like, ‘okay, now I understand.’ But it taught him get better everywhere so this can never happen again.”

  • Daniel Cormier: Alex Pereira’s Rapid Development Could Change The Game At UFC 307

    Daniel Cormier: Alex Pereira’s Rapid Development Could Change The Game At UFC 307

    There aren’t many fighters in the history of MMA who have achieved the kind of success Alex Pereira has.

    A victory over Khalil Rountree this weekend at UFC 307 would allow Pereira to break the record for the fewest days needed to defend a UFC title three times.

    What makes this even more remarkable is that heading into this fight, his overall MMA record stands at just 11-2.

    When Pereira entered the UFC after a legendary kickboxing career, it was clear he would be a dangerous matchup for anyone in striking exchanges. However, questions arose about how quickly he could round out his overall game with limited time in the sport.

    “Poatan,” as he’s known, believes that he’s developing even faster than his competition because he still has so much to learn.

    Daniel Cormier Says Alex Pereira Believes He’s Catching Up Quickly

    On the final episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy before UFC 307, Daniel Cormier shared insights from his conversations with Pereira during fight week.

    “DC” explained that while Pereira was still essentially an amateur when he arrived in the UFC, Pereira feels like he’s covering a lot of ground between fights.

    Cormier described how Pereira is able to improve more than most elite fighters during his training camps, despite already being the top 205-pound fighter in the world.

    “We keep saying he’s an amateur, he recognizes that but also says, ‘If I’m the best in the world now, imagine what I can be.’ Isn’t that a crazy thought? He was an amateur and became the world champ. Our improvements are usually incremental—like footwork adjustments—but he’s getting better in wrestling, cardio, and the clinch. He’s literally improving leaps and bounds every time, and he’s already the world champion.”

    Read also: UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Live Stream & Results

  • UFC 307: Khalil Rountree’s Unexpected Path To A Title Fight

    UFC 307: Khalil Rountree’s Unexpected Path To A Title Fight

    Khalil Rountree Jr. recently revealed that receiving a title shot at UFC 307 came as a surprise, particularly since he was still facing repercussions from a positive steroid test.

    “The War Horse” is set to challenge reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in his first-ever title opportunity this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    However, the announcement of this matchup was unexpected, as Rountree Jr. was still navigating the sanctions imposed by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) after testing positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a prohibited steroid hormone, earlier in May.

    The 34-year-old Californian was initially slated to face Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 in June—a bout that could have served as a title eliminator. However, Rountree had to withdraw due to the positive test. In an August hearing, the NAC reduced Rountree Jr.’s suspension to 4.5 months, acknowledging his decision to self-report the violation.

    This reduction allowed “The War Horse” to become eligible for UFC 307, as his ban ended on September 18.

    Rountree Jr. Reveals He Envisioned a Title Shot Before It Became Reality

    In a recent interview with Caged Minds Combat Sports News, Rountree Jr. expressed that he, like many others in the MMA community, did not expect a title opportunity while still serving his suspension.

    “It was a big surprise to me,” Rountree Jr. said. “I definitely didn’t expect the call to come when it did, but when it happened, all I could say was that it was a huge surprise. I was full of excitement. It was, I guess, like the call I had imagined for a long time… It was a complete surprise, so the way it happened was so unexpected. I didn’t realize that the phone call for a title fight was as close as it was.”

    Rountree also shared that the cancellation of his fight with Hill left him uncertain about his future in the UFC and when he would next compete.

    “The fight that I was booked for before, I thought could possibly be the title eliminator, but after everything happened, I really didn’t know what was next. I didn’t know if I’d be waiting nine months to a year to fight. I didn’t know who the opponent would be. I imagined all the ranked guys getting shots before I did, but like I said, a big surprise phone call came through, and I gladly accepted.”

    Rountree Jr. last fought in December 2023, when he knocked out Anthony Smith at a Fight Night event. He is currently on a five-fight win streak, with notable victories over fighters like Chris Daukaus, Karl Roberson, and Modestas Bukauskas.

    Read More: PFL Star Picks Khalil Rountree To Finish Alex Pereira In The First Round At UFC 307

  • UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

    UFC 307 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!

    The upcoming pay-per-view event at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah provides a chance for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira to further enhance his legacy on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    After capturing the gold in November 2023 and withstanding challenges from Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka this year, “Poatan” is next tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of Khalil Rountree to continue his reign atop the 205-pound mountain.

    Title stakes will also be present for the co-main event, which will see Raquel Pennington make her first defense of the bantamweight belt opposite returning ex-divisional queen Julianna Peña.

    Elsewhere on the UFC 307 card, the legendary José Aldo looks to continue his pursuit of a late-career title shot after a successful return from retirement this past May, Kayla Harrison makes her second Octagon outing, the always entertaining Kevin Holland shoots for the middleweight top 10, and former two-time strawweight queen Carla Esparza enters the cage for the final time.

    Ahead of the event, all 24 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight has remained intact, and all that remains on Friday night is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 307 ceremonial weigh-ins!

    Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 6 p.m. ET.

    UFC 307 Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • Carla Esparza Teases Throwing ‘Cool Moves’ She’s Held Back For Retirement Fight At UFC 307

    Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza could be set to let her hair down inside the Octagon this weekend.

    Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event boasts a number of notable storylines, one of which comes on the early preliminary card in the form of a retirement fight for one of the female roster’s all-time greats.

    Having not competed since having her second reign on the 115-pound throne ended by Zhang Weili in late 2022 — after which she became pregnant — Esparza will feel the Octagon floor beneath her feet one final time.

    To exit the sport on a win, “Cookie Monster” is tasked with once again getting the better of Tecia Pennington, whom she outpointed during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2014.

    And to do so, Esparza might be digging deep into her ‘toolbox’ of offensive weaponry.

    Esparza Willing To Embrace ‘Risk’ For Farewell Fight

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Esparza looked ahead to her final walk to the Octagon this weekend in Salt Lake City.

    When asked whether she’s planning to showcase anything new that she’s been holding back, the former champ admitted she has plenty of ‘risky’ moves that could come out now that her sights aren’t set on regaining the strawweight gold.

    “I have so many fun tools in my toolbox that I haven’t gotten display,” Esparza said. “I’ve always had the mentality in my fights where I want to win but I don’t want to be so risky. Because, you know, the goal is always to move up toward the title fight, and in order to do that, you need wins.

    “I just had things that I didn’t necessarily want to show but I had in my pocket if I did need to,” Esparza continued. “You never know how the fight’s going to go, but I would love the chance to kind of just have fun out there, do some cool moves that I haven’t gotten to show in fights before.”

    Regardless of the result on Saturday night, Esparza will go down as one of the most successful women to compete under the UFC banner. But she’ll still hope to cap off her career with one last triumph at the expense of Pennington.

  • UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results

    UFC 307: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Weigh-In Results

    UFC 307 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!

    After staging an event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere last month, the mixed martial arts leader is back in Utah for its latest numbered card, which goes down inside Salt Lake City’s Delta Center.

    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.

    Also on the main card will be returns for UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and fan favorite Kevin Holland.

    UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Weigh-In Results

    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 307 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below!

    Main Card:

    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (205lbs) vs. Khalil Rountree (205lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Raquel Pennington (135lbs) vs. Julianna Peña (134.5lbs)
    • Bantamweight: José Aldo (136lbs) vs. Mario Bautista (136lbs)
    • Middleweight: Roman Dolidze (185.5lbs) vs. Kevin Holland (185.5lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Ketlen Vieira (136lbs) vs. Kayla Harrison (136lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Stephen Thompson (171lbs) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170.5lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez (115.5lbs) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (116lbs)
    • Lightweight: Austin Hubbard (156lbs) vs. Alexander Hernandez (156lbs)
    • Middleweight: César Almeida (185.5lbs) vs. Ihor Potieria (185.5lbs)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann (205.5lbs) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (205.5lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Carla Esparza (115.5lbs) vs. Tecia Pennington (115lbs)
    • Welterweight: Court McGee (170lbs) vs. Tim Means (171lbs)
  • UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner For Main Event

    UFC 307: Bold Prediction From Alex Pereira’s Training Partner For Main Event

    Fight fans tuning into UFC 307 this weekend are in for a high-stakes clash in Saturday night’s main event. Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will meet the division’s other most ruthless fight finisher when he defends the title against Khalil Rountree.

    A lot has been made about how neither man is going to look to grapple in this fight, given their specialist styles.

    Rountree hasn’t attempted a single takedown during his UFC career, and Pereira has only shot for one, which was against fellow striking specialist Israel Adesanya.

    However, someone who knows the champion’s game well believes that if needed, Pereira could shock the world with his developing skill set.

    Renato Valente Says Alex Pereira Could Submit Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

    Anyone betting money on a submission in this fight, particularly from “Poatan”, is sure to get some stellar odds.

    Renato Valente, who is a training partner of Pereira’s, believes this possibility is worth considering before the main event gets underway.

    In a recent interview with The Scrap, Valente predicted that the champ could retain his belt via his first-ever submission win.

    “I’m really confident in that. Definitely, everyone expects a KO from Alex. Really, I can see that, dream about it. If I close my eyes, I can see it, but also, I can see Alex submitting him. I think that’s something to consider if you want to bet, you can put it there.”

    Valente went on to give his own estimation of the odds of Pereira finishing Rountree by knockout or submission.

    “KO for Alex or submission, let’s say 70:30 this time. 70% chance for a KO, 30% for a submission.” 

    Read also: Max Holloway Projects Khalil Rountree To Stop Alex Pereira’s Leg Kicks In Jon Jones Style At UFC 307

  • Kevin Holland Dismisses Israel Adesanya As Exciting Opponent: ‘Now He’s Just Some Guy Who Can’t Stop Running Backwards’

    Kevin Holland Dismisses Israel Adesanya As Exciting Opponent: ‘Now He’s Just Some Guy Who Can’t Stop Running Backwards’

    UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland is not enamored by the idea of sharing the octagon with former two-time champion Israel Adesanya.

    Holland is set for his second outing since returning to 185 pounds at this weekend’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Four months on from a submission win over Michał Oleksiejczuk, “Trailblazer” has the chance to leap into the top 10 by getting the better of Roman Dolidze at the Delta Center on Saturday night.

    With a victory over the Georgian, Holland could secure a place opposite a major contender next time out. But showing his strong focus on delivering entertainment, “Big Mouth” has looked to eliminate one former champ from the equation…

    Holland Would Rather Fight Costa Than Adesanya: ‘At Least Paulo’s Going To Actually Come Out & Fight’

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Holland looked ahead to his outing in the “Beehive State” and assessed what could await him after an impressive performance.

    While a big-name opponent could be in the offing for “Big Mouth” should he have his hand raised at UFC 307, he’d rather it not be one particular figure inside the top five.

    “Not really,” Holland said when asked if the idea of facing Adesanya gets him excited. “It would have been exciting beating him as the champ. Now he’s just some guy who can’t stop running backwards and getting clipped and throwing a lot of leg kicks.

    “At the end of the day, guys fighting like that, they play the chess match where they’re just doing this (leg kicking) all night. It’s like, that’s boring,” Holland continued. “I’d rather fight Paulo Costa than fight Izzy. At least Paulo’s gonna actually come out there and fight, when he actually wants to.”

    Adesanya is currently without an opponent almost two months on from his defeat to Dricus Du Plessis in Perth. He is, however, targeting a return to action before the end of 2024.

    Holland, meanwhile, looks to have his hands full this weekend as he shoots for the middleweight top 10 at the expense of the ever-dangerous Dolidze.

  • UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More

    UFC 307 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Rountree, Pennington vs. Peña, & More

    UFC 307 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view 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.

    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 he’s to record a third successful title defense in 2024.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see Raquel Pennington making her first defense of the bantamweight gold. Nine months on from her crowning, “Rocky” will meet a familiar face in fellow TUF 18 competitor Julianna Peña, a former champ who is returning from a two-year layoff.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of UFC legend José Aldo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, and the always entertaining Kevin Holland.

    Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 307 main card here.

    UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 307 (as of 10/4), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (-455) vs. Khalil Rountree (+350)
    • Raquel Pennington (-166) vs. Julianna Peña (+140)
    • José Aldo (+124) vs. Mario Bautista (-148)
    • Roman Dolidze (+130) vs. Kevin Holland (-155)
    • Ketlen Vieira (+700) vs. Kayla Harrison (-1100)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Stephen Thompson (+180) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-218)
    • Marina Rodriguez (+164) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-198)
    • Austin Hubbard (+130) vs. Alexander Hernandez (-155)
    • César Almeida (-380) vs. Ihor Potieria (+300)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Ryan Spann (-245) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (+200)
    • Carla Esparza (+150) vs. Tecia Pennington (-180)
    • Court McGee (+164) vs. Tim Means (-198)