Pereira Ends UFC 307 with a Bang after a Night full of Controversial Decisions
The Legend of Alex Pereira only continues to grow after dissecting Khalil Rountree Jr.
Rountree Jr. didn’t back down from Pereira exchanging punches for leg kicks in the first round. The challenger’s biggest moment came in the 2nd round as he clubbed the champion with a right hand and landed a left high kick. Pereira made an adjustment heading into the third. The Pereira pressure and jab continued to build breaking down and busting up Rountree Jr. Pre-fight Pereira noted that his experience would be a factor. Rountree Jr. was laboring to start the fourth round where Pereira accelerated his pace. Backing Rountree Jr. against the fence a Pereira unloaded a right hooks and body shots forcing Rountree Jr. to crumble.
The year isn’t even over yet and without a doubt 2024 is the year of “Potan”. Alex Pereira has headlined the biggest fight card of all-time, UFC 300, jumped in to save UFC 303, and got right back on the horse for his third successful defense this year, all by knockout. A 10th knockout win runs his record at Light Heavyweight to 5-0.
Julianna Pena is now a two-time UFC champion after a razor close split decision win over Raquel Pennington. Pena got takedowns in the 2nd & 3rd rounds coming close to a rear naked choke in the second. Pena got off the canvas after getting sat down by a Pennington right hook in the 4th to exchange in the pocket in the 5th.
Mario Bautista is now on a seven-fight win streak after a controversial split decision win over Jose Aldo. Aldo was crisp in the early going. His low kick slapping hard and jab popping Bautista’s head back. Aldo’s jab busting Bautista open around Bautista’s right eye. In the second there was a feeling that a finish could be imminent. Baustista made a good account for himself, sneaking in an occasional hook, but felt a step behind only able to hold Aldo on the fence. The fence time turning out to be enough.
Roman Dolidze got the 8th knockout win of his career in anticlimactic fashion. Dolidze clearly won the first round after getting Holland down and landing strikes from mount. Holland had trouble getting back to his feet between rounds and grasped his rib cage leading to a TKO from injury.
The fight was challenging in the clinch and Kayal Harrison was forced to stand more than we had seen before, but the outcome got Harrison to 2-0 in the UFC and possibly earned a title shot. Vieira took the 2nd round on one Harrison had her biggest moments of the fight at the end of the first and third rounds landing strikes from mount.
Joaquin Buckley’s decision to drop to Welterweight may have been the best one he’s ever made. Buckley is now 6-0 in the weight-class and closing in on a title shot after knocking out former title challenger Stephen Thompson with a massive leaping in right hook in the third round of a fight that saw Buckley pressing with hooks and hunting for takedowns.
Iasmin Lucindo will find herself ranked inside the top ten after squeezing out a split decision win over Marina Rodriguez. Lucindo got her fourth win in a row on the strength three takedowns and nearly five minutes of control time.
Alexander Hernandez avoided a third loss in row getting the desired side of a split decision with Austin Hubbard. Hubbard pressing forward with straight punches and teep kicks to the body. while Hernandez used his athleticism to land counter left hooks or exit stage left and reset himself. The most decisive round was the third were a pair of left hooks stunned Hernandez. One judge saw all three rounds for Hubbard while Hernandez took the win from the other two judges giving him the first two round
Cesar Almedia got his hand raised for the second time inside the octagon defeating Ihor Poteria by unanimous decision. The all-around game of the experienced kickboxer is coming together stuffing multiple takedowns, getting out from bottom, and almost catching a guillotine. The right hand was accurate and while he needs to catch the open hand approach to defense because of eye pokes the progression is going in a very positive direction.
Ryan Spann put together a career saving performance submitting Ovince St. Preux avoiding a fourth loss in a row. Spann stung St. Preux with right hooks forcing “OSP” to shoot for a takedown. Spann wrapping his right arm around the neck forcing the tap from a power guillotine.
Tecia Pennington played spoiler to the Carla Esparza retirement party beating the former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight champion by unanimous decision. One judge scored all three rounds for Pennington, but the rounds were close. Pennington got the better for right hand exchanges in the first before Esparaza scored a takedown. Esparza had to eat a few up kicks to get to top position where she remained to close out the round. Pennington with on point with her right hand in the second a clearest of all three rounds. Pennington’s right hand lead the dance for the first half of the third before Esparza found the gas pedal landing her right hook and finding a takedown in the final minute. Pennington won the fight by pressuring in when Esparza backoff and toning down her aggression when Esparza went forward forcing Esparza to have to put strikes in front of her desired takedown.
Utah’s own Court McGee got the night going by scoring the 8th submission win of his career. McGee got inside on Tim Means with a short right hand into a double leg takedown. McGee made his way to Means back forcing a tap from rear naked choke.
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