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.
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.”
UFC 307: 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.
