A PFL star has boldly predicted that Khalil Rountree will make quick work of Alex Pereira in their upcoming title showdown at UFC 307.
Rountree is slated to face reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira this Saturday night in the main event of a highly anticipated pay-per-view at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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"Poatan" has been on a dominant, unbeaten tear in the 205-pound division, and he's gearing up for his third title defense of 2024. His most recent conquest came in June at UFC 303, where he secured a thunderous second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka in their rematch.
Meanwhile, UFC 307 marks "The War Horse's" maiden shot at UFC gold, which explains why he's entering the bout as a heavy underdog. Unlike most title challengers, he hasn't battled his way to the top or earned the number one contender spot, as he's currently ranked #8 in the light heavyweight division.
However, Brendan Loughnane stands among the select few who argue that Rountree’s underdog status could be the pivotal factor in pulling off a monumental upset against the seemingly unstoppable Pereira...
Loughnane On Rountree's Chances Against Pereira At UFC 307: 'He's Hungry'
During a recent appearance on talkSPORT MMA, Loughnane shared his predictions for the Pereira vs. Rountree title fight. While the 34-year-old Englishman acknowledged the reigning champion's formidable strengths, he emphasized that this bout represents a crucial opportunity—possibly the sole title shot—for "The War Horse".
The PFL featherweight fighter expressed that this realization will likely drive Rountree to fight with determination, and he might finish the bout in the first round.
I'm going to pick the [under]dog in this one," Loughnane said. "I'm going to go for it. You know why? He's hungry. He's been around a long time; this is probably his last opportunity with age creeping up. Alex Pereira's been an animal, but Khalil—I know him; I have trained with him. Khalil is a good fella; he's a great fighter… Let's just really go with it.
Rountree is poised to make his comeback following a 4.5-month suspension for testing positive for a steroid hormone this past May, and he’s currently carrying the momentum of a five-fight win streak. The 34-year-old Californian's last Octagon outing saw him secure a third-round knockout victory against Anthony Smith in December 2023.