UFC 307 witnessed a remarkable display of resilience as Alex Pereira, the 37-year-old Brazilian fighter, defended his light heavyweight championship title against Khalil Rountree Jr. Despite suffering from a fractured rib and battling severe health issues leading up to the fight, Pereira delivered a stunning knockout in the fourth round.
Overcoming Challenges to Protect His Title
Pereira’s journey to the octagon was fraught with adversity. He faced not only a formidable opponent in Rountree but also a series of injuries and illnesses. In a post-fight press conference, Pereira revealed the immense challenges he endured during training.
The Brazilian champion stated, “The fight was truly difficult, but only my team understands how tough this training camp was.” For over a month leading up to the match, Pereira struggled with various health issues, from rib fractures to throat infections and high fever. Additionally, he encountered visa complications while in Brazil, further interrupting his training regimen.
Pereira elaborated on his condition: “I had a rib fracture, an injury that happened a year ago and flared up while I was in Brazil. Upon arriving in the U.S., I developed a severe throat infection and had to take antibiotics while battling a high fever. I recorded a video during that time, intending to share it if I won, and now I can reveal this. It was truly a tough process, but I’m proud of what I’ve overcome.”
In addition to the rib injury, Pereira also dealt with a ligament injury in his toe from a previous bout at UFC 300, making training increasingly challenging. However, his determination ultimately led him to a convincing victory.
A Thrilling Battle Concludes with a Knockout
The match between Pereira and Rountree Jr. was a fierce contest. Rountree entered the fight with great intensity, relentlessly attacking from the outset, aiming to overpower Pereira with heavy strikes. As the fight progressed, however, Pereira’s endurance began to take precedence.
In the first three rounds, both fighters exchanged powerful blows, but it was in the fourth round that Pereira shifted to a body attack strategy, targeting Rountree’s gradually waning energy. Toward the end of the round, Pereira unleashed a flurry of punches, culminating in a powerful uppercut that sent Rountree crashing to the canvas. The referee intervened swiftly to stop the fight, ensuring Rountree wouldn’t suffer further injury.
After the bout, Rountree emerged with severe cuts and bleeding across his face. He was immediately taken to the hospital and had limited comments in the post-fight interview. Nevertheless, on his Instagram account, Rountree expressed respect for Pereira, stating, “I didn’t win the title, but I grew from last night. Thank you, Pereira, for showing me that I’m ready to face the world.”
Conor McGregor’s Big Win
During the fight, former UFC champion Conor McGregor made headlines by betting $1 million on Pereira to win by knockout. McGregor accurately predicted the outcome, netting a profit of $200,000 from his wager. He took to social media, exclaiming, “$200,000, folks! I predicted every scenario correctly! Poatan is an outstanding fighter; it’s incredible.”
Post-fight, McGregor urged Pereira to move up to heavyweight to challenge current champion Jon Jones, suggesting that Pereira has the potential to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles across three different weight classes: middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. This proposal could open an exciting new chapter in Pereira’s career, having already proven his talent in two weight classes.
