UFC 307 LIVE: Alex Pereira knocks out Khalil Rountree in brutal main event
Relive the action as Alex Pereira brutally knocked out Khalil Rountree at UFC 307
In the main event of UFC 307 on Saturday, Alex Pereira brutally knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr to continue his hot streak in the Octagon.
Rountree provided the biggest challenge yet faced by Pereira as light heavyweight champion - but as the bout entered the championship rounds, an exhausted and bloodied Rountree could only take so much punishment, succumbing to defeat towards the end of the fourth.
In the co-main event, Julianna Pena reclaimed her throne at women’s bantamweight, defeating Raquel Pennington by split decision.
In her post-fight interview, Pena called on Amanda Nunes to come out of retirement to set up a trilogy bout, snubbing any insinuation that Kayla Harrison - who also emerged victorious on Saturday - was next in line for the belt.
Other star fighters in action included Jose Aldo against Mario Bautista, while fan favourite Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson also took to the cage in a star-studded featured prelim against Joaquin Buckley.
Relive all the action and all the undercard results from UFC 307 below:
UFC 307 LIVE: Raquel Pennington vs Julianna Pena
Round one
Five rounds in the docket for the women’s bantamweight title. Let’s have it.
Patient start to the fight as both measure each other out. Pennington connects with a left that gets Pena’s attention and later lands a strike on entry.
Good connection on the low kick from Pena, who goes for a flurry late in the round and catches Penningtin with a jab. The champ responds with a switch uppercut to chin of Pena to see out the first.
UFC 307 LIVE: Two title fights to come
Gold is about to be on the line!
In tonight’s hard-hitting main event, Alex Pereira will face his latest test as the king of light heavyweight as he locks horns with Khalil Rountree.
Among an elite class of two-division champions, Pereira has been unstoppable since claiming the belt in the main event of UFC 295, where he stopped Jiri Prochazka in the second round.
It will be Rountree’s first outing since serving a four-month suspension for a failed drug test, and “The War Horse” will no doubt be desperate to dispel doubters by producing an upset for the ages upon his return.
But before that, Raquel Pennington defends her women’s bantamweight title for the first time since securing the strap at UFC 297, taking on former champion Julianna Pena, who will be eager to reclaim the throne.
Walkouts for your co-main event are imminent.
UFC 307 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista
Round three
Aldo focussing on his boxing but doesn’t get much opportunity to unload before Bautista shoots for his seventh takedown of the fight. It’s stuffed once again, but Bautista has him pushed up against the fence.
Constant pressure, constant level changes. It’s not what the fans are wanting to see, but it’s a smart strategy - because whenever Aldo gets some from freedom, he explodes on Bautista.
That opportunity comes late on and the pair wail on each other for the final seconds, but no last-gasp knockout in this one. We go to a decision.
Mario Bautista def. Jose Aldo via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
A very strategic performance from Bautista to secure the biggest win of his career. Safe to say he hasn’t gained many fans in Salt Lake City, however.
UFC 307 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista
Round two
Bautista gets into early trouble as he suffers a cut above his right eye. His vision is effected and Aldo takes advantage with a sharp left hook before going to the body.
With Aldo kicking into gear on the feet, Bautista shoots for the single-leg - but as we know too well, Aldo’s takedown defence is unparalleled.
Even after a wrestling-heavy first round, Bautista doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down but he’s getting hit, first with a crunching left hand from Aldo before eating a knee.
The Brazilian legend has the crowd on his side and after being pressed up against the fence once again, he bursts out with a flurry on the breakaway. Bautista responds with a flying knee which Aldo evades.
UFC 307 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista
Round one
Bautista starts things off in control, getting Aldo against the fence and looking to use his wrestling to wear out the two-time UFC featherweight champion.
The pair trade strikes in the clinch before breaking away, only for Bautista to get Aldo right back to the fence. Aldo needs to get more active when he gets that space.
They circle away again Bautista lands a nice left hook before connecting with a jab. Aldo then responds to slightly wobble Bautista before connecting with a swift combination as the round comes to a close.
UFC 307 LIVE: Jose Aldo vs Mario Bautista
The King of Rio de Janiero is making his way to the Octagon as he looks to catapult his way towards the bantamweight title picture.
Aldo is intent on once again becoming an undisputed UFC champion - but on that collision course, he will faces the challenge of Mario Bautista, who is quickly rising through the ranks at bantamweight.
UFC 307 LIVE: Kevin Holland vs Roman Dolidze
Round one
Holland chops the wood to start and connects with a three inside low kicks. He then catches a Dolidze leg kick and looks to use that leverage to connect with an overhand, but the Georgian slips.
‘Trailblazer’ is throwing big shots but Dolidze evades and gets the single-leg takedown. Holland then goes for an armbar but seems to fracture his rib in doing so, allowing Dolidze to get into full mount and rain down bombs for the remainder of the round.
Like an absolute warrior, Holland continues to move and protect himself to survive the barrage of strikes being unloaded him, making it the buzzer. But as he goes to the stool, his corner make the decision to call fight due to the injury sustained.
Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland via first round TKO (rib injury, 5:00)
UFC 307 LIVE: Ketlen Vieira vs Kayla Harrison
Round three
Sharp inside low kick hurts Vieira early in the third, backing her up against the fence where Harrison shoots for the double leg.
Harrison becoming a little but flustered as she lunges with an overhand to avail. She hasn’t been particularly efficiant when it comes to getting her opponent to the ground - but with three minutes of the round to go, she does just that.
Then comes the ground and pound. Brutal elbows across the forehead of Vieira, who is trying to throw up a triangle in defence. Harrison gets into full mount and is raining down shots for the final minute. Compete dominance to see out the fight as we go to the scorecards...
Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Maybe not the uber domiant performance many were expecting, but a convincing win regardless against the division’s number two ranked fighter. Title shot seems inevitable.
UFC 307 LIVE: Ketlen Vieira vs Kayla Harrison
Round two
Harrison goes for that same left overhand to single leg combination to dry and get Vieira back on that mat, she connects with the left but Vieira evades the takedown.
Kayla lands a stiff low kick before getting Vieira up against the fence. Ketlen then lands a big elbow of her own to form a massive welt on the head of Harrison - the most significant strike of the round.
A third round is required. It will be really interesting to see how Kayla’s cardio holds up for these next five minutes, especially given the infamous altitude.
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