MMA fans are in for a major showdown tonight as Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira looks to defend his Light Heavyweight Championship for the third time this year at UFC 307. Standing in his way is the dangerous and resurgent veteran Khalil Rountree Jr. in a fight that has everyone in the MMA world buzzing, including former UFC double-champion Conor McGregor.
The majority of fans are backing the reigning champ, Pereira, with 91% of Tapology users predicting the Brazilian to win—95% expecting a KO/TKO finish. However, McGregor, known for his sharp fight analysis, has voiced his opinion that this fight may be much closer than people expect.
In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), McGregor warned that Rountree could prove to be a tougher challenge than many think. “A lot of unanswered questions still about Khalil at the championship level,” McGregor stated. “He remains a nasty operator at 205lbs. Pereira looked slightly drawn on the scale. It’s either man’s fight to win, in my opinion.”
While Pereira’s championship pedigree and brutal striking make him the clear favorite, Rountree’s recent five-fight winning streak, including four finishes, shows he’s a serious threat. Most notably, Rountree viciously knocked out Anthony Smith in his last bout, solidifying himself as a legitimate contender.
McGregor’s assessment goes further, hinting at Pereira’s potential future in the heavyweight division. “Pereira is just about ready for heavyweight now in my opinion. Him vs. Jon Jones would be amazing to watch—a chance to go for three weight classes. But he could be spoiled tomorrow night,” McGregor said, adding intrigue to tonight’s matchup.
Despite the overwhelming support for Pereira, Rountree‘s resurgence and the unpredictability of MMA leave room for a major upset. McGregor, known as “Mystic Mac” for his accurate predictions, hinted that fans shouldn’t be surprised if Rountree pulls off a shocking win.
As the two fighters prepare to face off in the main event at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, the tension is palpable. Will Pereira continue his reign of dominance, or will Rountree shock the MMA world with the upset of the year?
Tune in to find out as the action unfolds in what’s sure to be an unforgettable night of fights.
