The Brazilians surveyed largely predicted that Alex Pereira will violently defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship crown on Saturday.
UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. Saturday at 10 ET on ESPN+. Order Now!
In the main attraction of UFC 307, Pereira (11-2) will look to keep an iron grip on his light heavyweight strap against Khalil Rountree (13-5, 1 NC). Claiming the throne in 2023 by crushing Jiri Prochazka, Pereira mercilessly turned away former champs Jamahal Hill and a rebounding Prochazka in 2024 thus far. Sherdog polled several former or current Brazilian greats, including training partners and trainers alike, who weighed in on the matchup. Results were strongly in favor of their countryman to prevail.
Cesar Almeida, UFC fighter and training partner of Pereira: “In addition to having fought with Alex three times in kickboxing, I spent the last two months training with him almost every day in MMA. Khalil has a very still muay thai style, he doesn’t move much. Fighting a guy like ‘Poatan’ and not moving much is ‘coffin.’ One moment, he will [suddenly] connect [with] a [knockout blow]. Of course, in MMA anything can happen, but I see a victory by KO [for Pereira] between the second round and third round depending on how long Khalil resists.”
Carlos Prates, UFC fighter: “I trained with Khalil many times in Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand, of course it was almost four years ago, he must have evolved a lot. But my opinion is not because of the technical skills, it’s more for his mind. ‘Poatan’ is in a different level, [and] I see him winning in the first round.”
Fabricio Werdum, former UFC heavyweight champion: “Dangerous fight for ‘Poatan’ because Khalil is southpaw and also a striking specialist. But I think ‘Poatan’ [having a] reach advantage will make his win [possible]. I see ‘Poatan’ knocking him out.”
Vitor Miranda, former UFC fighter and UFC Fight Pass commentator: “Khalil is very dangerous and explosive, ‘Poatan’ too. This fight will be like ‘don’t blink.’ The best way for Rountree is to take risks from medium to short distance and believe in his left hand, because if he stays at distance, ‘Poatan’ will spend the whole day undermining him, kicking to the calf, jabbing to the body, kicking to the body. Khalil will have to explode, and this explosion will be dangerous for both of them…two things can happen: Khalil [pressuring] ‘Poatan’ all the time [by] attacking him, or [Rountree] starts to retreat and just defends himself.”
Carlos Barreto, former UFC fighter and UFC Fight Pass commentator: “Khalil undoubtedly has brutal KO power. But ‘Poatan’ has more tools, he has more technical elements and knows how to create bait to attract his opponents. Alex Pereira, besides being the greatest striker in the world, knows how to understand his opponent like no one else. I think he will use leg kicks to reduce Khalil’s mobility, forcing him to walk backwards, and Khalil gets lost when he is cornered and walks backwards. I see a knife against a Swiss Army Knife.”
Diego Lima, Chute Boxe head coach: “Khalil is really dangerous and deserves all respect but ‘Poatan’ has a reach advantage and is a master on distance control. I believe ‘Poatan’ will win via KO in the first or second round.”
