Alex
Pereira feels a change as he nears his UFC 307
clash against Khalil
Rountree.
Rountree (13-5) will challenge Pereira (11-2) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight crown in UFC
307 headliner on Oct. 5 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
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Pereira believes fans were initially not excited for the matchup
when it was announced back in August. However, the champ can feel
the excitement building as he nears fight night. “Poatan” vows to
put on a show and expects the same from his opponent.
“I feel good, I feel ready. We came here three weeks before this
fight to prepare this time,” Pereira told Nina Marie Daniele. “Very pumped.
I think it’s going to be a good fight. In the beginning, people
didn’t give too much attention for this matchup but now we feel the
difference. People are building up to that. And I am prepared to
put on a show… I think Khalil, too. So it’ll be a great fight.”
Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. Saturday at 10 ET on ESPN+. Order
Now!
Pereira won the light heavyweight title with a technical knockout
of Jiri
Prochazka at UFC 295 in November 2023. The Brazilian has since
defended it twice via stoppage, against Jamahal
Hill at UFC 300 this past April and in a rematch against
Prochazka at UFC 303 in June.
Meanwhile, Rountree is riding a five-fight winning streak, which
includes four finishes. Many, like former UFC star Chael
Sonnen, believe “The War Horse” won’t be an easy night at the
office for Pereira. Rountree has never shot for a takedown in his
entire UFC career and vows to maintain that against Pereira. With
Pereira having shot for only one takedown in the UFC so far, the
matchup between two power punchers certainly has potential for
fireworks.