UFC 307 LIVE: Fight updates and undercard results as Alex Pereira battles Khalil Rountree
Alex Pereira targets another big UFC win against Khalil Rountree Jr, while Raquel Pennington, Jose Aldo and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson also feature in an action-packed card
In the main event of UFC 307 on Saturday, Alex Pereira battles Khalil Rountree Jr with ‘Poatan’ aiming to continue his hot streak in the Octagon.
Pereira is now considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet after seizing the light heavyweight title at UFC 295, and a devastating knockout against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 further underlined his status as one of the most feared men in MMA.
But now Rountree provides a new test and an intriguing matchup after Dana White elevated ‘The War Horse’ into this title fight having served a four-month suspension for a failed drug test.
Other star fighters in action include Raquel Pennington, who defends her bantamweight title against former champ Julianna Pena, with Jose Aldo against Mario Bautista, plus Kevin Holland locks horns with Roman Dolidze, with fan favourite Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson also in action.
Follow live updates and all the undercard results from UFC 307 below:
UFC 307 LIVE: STACKED main card to come!
Alex Pereira returns to the Octagon eager to keep his stock sky-high as he puts his light heavyweight championship on the line against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307.
In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington defends her bantamweight title for the first time since winning the belt at UFC 297, pitted against former champ Julianna Pena who will be hellbent on reclaiming the throne.
Elsewhere on the main card, Jose Aldo takes on Mario Bautista in his second fight since returning from a short-lived retirement - but first up, it’s the rapidly rising Kayla Harrison, who looks to continue her collision course towards UFC gold up against Ketlen Vieira.
UFC 307 LIVE: Joaquin Buckley calls out Kamaru Usman
Joaquin Buckley wants former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman next, believing he needs just one more big win before he’s ready for the title shot.
“Usman, get your ass out here now,” he said in his post-fight interview after securing a brutal knockout win over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson.
“Everybody wants to see that fight. I’m going put up my 5-0 record up against your 3-0 losses.
“Let’s get it, let’s see who’s gonna win.”
UFC 307 LIVE: Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson vs Joaquin Buckley
Round three
Buckley explodes on Thompson early on, pushing forward fearlessly with intent of bombs on the skull of Wonderboy.
Big head kick from Wonderboy connects after surviving the inital flurry, then BANG! Buckley knocks the LIGHTS out of Wonderboy with a nuclear warhead, landing a massive lunging right to make it five from five for ‘New Mansa’!
Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson via third round knockout (overhand right, 2:17)
Buckley could have easily been 2-0 down going into the third - he went in wanting a finish and he got just that. Another highlight reel KO to add to the collection.
UFC 307 LIVE: Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson vs Joaquin Buckley
Round two
Big spinning wheel kick from Wonderboy gets slipped by Buckley, who follows up with a shot that gets the attention of his opponent.
Wonderboy is being pushed up against the cage but is landing significant elbows in the clinch. Nice combination on the break coming away from the fence.
Buckley responds by waiting for Wonderboy to finish his combination before swinging himself, connecting with a nice right. Buckley then lands a flurry of punches and gets a takedown, but Wonderboy gets right back to his feet.
Brief stoppage as Buckley connects with an inadvertant (and debatable) low blow. Thompson looks to keep him at range for the final minute and slips a last-second flying overhand from Buckley as the buzzer sounds.
UFC 307 LIVE: Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson vs Joaquin Buckley
Round one
Featured prelims rarely get better than this. Let’s get into it.
Buckley shoots early and lands a MASSIVE double leg takedown, slamming Wonderboy to the mat, but Thompson is able to get out of it relatively quickly.
Wonderboy then connects with a shot that looks to have rocked Buckley, but that doesn’t put him off. Buckley is constantly pushing forward on Wonderboy, clipping him with two powerful headkicks.
Buckley goes for the level change, looking for the single leg and gets Wonderboy up against the cage.
UFC 307 LIVE: Countdown to main card
One more prelim to go, and it’s an absolute belter.
Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson squares off against Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight clash that should guarantee fireworks.
Then, in about half an hour, the main card gets underway with the ever-entertaining Kevin Holland and Roman Dolidze locking horns.
A cracking night of action ahead. Stay tuned.
UFC 307 LIVE: Marina Rodriguez vs Iasmin Lucindo
Round three
Body lock and takedown early from Lucindo - but as she’s in mount, the pair get stood up once again by Goddard, who gives Lucindo a hard warning from pushing her chin into Rodriguez’s eye socket. That’s also why they were separated in the second, fantastic spot by the ref.
On the feet, Rodriguez connects with a sharp elbow and looks for a heel hook as they return to the mat. Lucindo escapes and gains ground control once again to take the fight to a decision. This could go either way.
Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
UFC 307 LIVE: Marina Rodriguez vs Iasmin Lucindo
Round one
Lucindo wants to take this fight to the ground and it’s clear to see why as Rodriguez leaves her wobbly-legged with a overhand right to the temple. She survives the warning shot and does well to get that elusive takedown for with a minute to go, keeping ground control for the rest of the round and laying in ground strikes.
Round two
Rodriguez is finding her distance and connects with a nice combination as Lucindo backs up towards the fence. But just like in the first round, as Lucindo looks in danger, she gets the body lock and lands the takedown. Marc Goddard stands the pair up with 30 seconds to go and the round ends on the feet, with Lucindo landing a nice spinning back kick to the body.
UFC 307 LIVE: Pena’s championship pedigree
Julianna Pena will look to reclaim the women’s bantamweight throne tonight as she squares off against Raquel Pennington in tonight’s co-main event.
Who did she beat when she was last crowned champ? Only the greatest to ever do it.
UFC 307 LIVE: Austin Hubbard vs Alexander Hernandez
Round three
All action round three as both men go in search of a knock out in the final five. Hernandez gets Hubbard up against the fence and lands two heavy hooks but Hubbard responds with big hits of his own, doing damage with front kicks in particular.
In the final minute, Hubbard looks to have Hernandez hurt after connecting flush with two shots, only for Alexander ‘The Great’ to provide a receipt of his own. Both laying into each other for the final seconds as the crowd reaches fever pitch. Buzzer sounds and a decision will be required...
Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28, 29-29, 27-30)
One judge with a slightly perplexing view of the fight compared to his colleagues, deeming that Hernandez didn’t win a single round. Nothing on Howie Booth, mind you.
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