Brazilians surveyed primarily expected Alex Pereira to make a fierce defense of his Ultimate Fighting Championship title on Saturday. UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. will air Saturday at 10pm ET on ESPN+. Order now! In the main attraction of UFC 307, Pereira (11-2) will look to maintain a firm grip on the light heavyweight strap when he takes on Khalil Rountree (13-5, 1 NC). Pereira, who won the title in 2023 by defeating Jiri Prochaska, has so far ruthlessly eliminated former champion Jamahal Hill and returning Prochaska in 2024. Sherdog surveyed some of Brazil’s greatest players, former and current, including training partners and trainers, to get their thoughts on this matchup. The results strongly favored the countrymen’s victory.
Cesar Almeida, UFC fighter and Pereira’s training partner: “In addition to fighting Alex three times in kickboxing, I have spent the last two months training MMA with him almost every day. .Khalil has a very stationary Muay Thai style and doesn’t move much.It’s “Coffin” that doesn’t move much when fighting someone like “Poatan”. For a moment he would [suddenly] connect [with] be [knockout blow]. Of course anything can happen in MMA, but I’m looking at a KO win. [for
Pereira] This will take place between the second and third rounds, depending on how much Khalil resists. ”
UFC fighter Carlos Prates: “I trained with Khalil many times at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand. Of course that was nearly four years ago, and I’m sure he has improved a lot. But my opinion is that technical It’s not because of his skill, but rather his spirit. “Poatan” is on a different level. [and] I expect him to win in the first round. ”
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum: “Khalil is a southpaw and a striking specialist, so it’s a dangerous fight for Poitan. But I think he’s Poitan. [having a] Reach advantage helps him win [possible]. We see “Poitan” knocking him out. ”
Vitor Miranda, former UFC fighter and UFC Fight Pass commentator: “Khalil is very dangerous and explosive, and so is Poitan. This fight is going to be a ‘don’t blink’ kind of thing. The best thing for Rountree is to take risks at medium to short range and trust his left hand. Because if he kept his distance, “Poitin” would weaken him all day with kicks to the calf, jabs to the body, and kicks. to the body. Khalil has to explode and this explosion is dangerous for both of them… Two things can happen: Khalil [pressuring] Always “Poatan” [by] attack him or [Rountree] Start retreating and just protect yourself. ”
“Khalil definitely has brutal KO power,” said Carlos Barreto, a former UFC fighter and UFC Fight Pass commentator. “But ‘Poitan’ has more tools and more technical elements. knows how to create bait that attracts enemies. Alex Pereira is not only the best striker in the world, he also knows how to understand his opponents like no other. I think the leg kick will reduce Khalil’s mobility and make him walk backwards, but Khalil gets cornered and gets lost and walks backwards. We see a knife facing off against a Swiss Army knife. ”
Diego Lima, head coach of Chute Boxe: “Khalil is really dangerous and deserves all the respect, but ‘Poitan’ has a reach advantage and is a master of distance control. ‘Poitan’ has one or two rounds. I believe he will win by KO. ”
