UFC 307 Betting Preview: Alex Pereira Will Dispense Another Beatdown
It’s no offense to Khalil Rountree Jr., who seems like a nice man, but he shouldn’t be fighting for the light heavyweight crown this weekend at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. Following a loss to Marcin Prachnio in January 2021, Rountree had an 8-5 record and took three losses in his previous four fights. Faced with the prospect of possibly being cut if his struggles continued, Rountree turned things around.
Starting with a leg-kick knockout of Modestas Bukauskas, the MMAfighting latest news shows Rountree has rolled off five straight wins. The level of competition Rountree has fought during that winning streak has mostly been middling. Rountree’s best fight during the streak was against former title challenger Anthony Smith, but he is well past his expiration date.
Rountree’s next challenge will be facing one of the hottest fighters in the sport, Alex Pereira. Pereira has won four straight wins, all against former champions. During Pereira’s last fight, he knocked out Jiří Procházka in the second round with a vicious head kick.
Pereira is 8-1 in the UFC with horrifying power. He wants to stand and trade and Rountree has said that he doesn’t plan to wrestle. This fight should be a disaster. Rountree always has a puncher’s chance, I suppose, but I can’t back him based on what I’ve seen.
Bets to consider: Under 2.5 rounds, Pereira by KO/TKO/DQ
Peña Ready to Reclaim Throne
Julianna Peña was crushed not to get another opportunity to fight Amanda Nunes before she retired. Peña scored the upset of the year in 2021 when she submitted Nunes in the second round. However, MMA news websites saw how many people expected the first fight to go.
Nunes dominated Peña, who could not return quickly enough for a trilogy due to an injury. Peña is stepping back in for a bantamweight title fight against Racquel Pennington. Pennington is a surprising champion. She fell to 10-8 after a loss to Holly Holm in January 2020.
But Pennington won six straight fights and the vacant title back in January. This fight likely won’t be as exciting as the main event. Pennington is a decision-heavy fighter. Peña is also comfortable going all five rounds.Pennington’s style is better for winning a decision.
Bets to consider: Pennington by decision, Over 4.5 rounds
Can the King of Rio Find the Fountain of Youth?
José Aldo,38, isn’t one of those fighters who flirts with retirement and loses his edge. Aldo returned after a year-and-a-half absence and beat Jonathan Martinez last May in Brazil. There was some thought that the former featherweight champion may retire, but Aldo is back to fight Mario Bautista this weekend.
Anyone looking at MMA breaking news will see that Aldo will give Bautista a tough challenge. Aldo’s chin is still good, and his striking ability is more than capable. Bautista has won six straight fights. While Bautista isn’t much of a knockout artist, he is a capable all-around fighter who will be prepared for an active fight with the veteran.
Bets to consider: Aldo +120, Over 2.5 rounds
Holland Has Interesting New Challenger
Kevin Holland was originally slated to fight Chris Curtis. However, Curtis pulled out due to an injury. Roman Dolidze is stepping in. Dolidze is a powerful striker who is also a capable grappler.
Fighting an unorthodox fighter like Holland will be an interesting challenge for Dolidze. Dolidze usually fights at a lower pace and prefers to lean on power over volume. It’s hard ever to say what Holland will be up to.Holland sometimes carries his hands low and invites chaos. Dolidze is capable of making him pay for that. Holland has a good chin, and Dolidze will be at a speed disadvantage.
It’s always risky to bet on Holland because you don’t know what he is going to do. Holland has shown the ability to be smart and use the best path to his victory. But there are other times when he takes wild risks.
Bets to consider: Over 1.5 rounds, Holland ML
Harrison Wants Next Shot
Kayla Harrison pulled off one of the most impressive feats in MMA this year. Harrison, who was an Olympic gold medalist in judo, initially fought in the PFL at lightweight, which is 155 pounds. But when Harrison signed with the UFC, she had to cut 20 pounds and fight at bantamweight.
Harrison debuted with a splash at UFC 300 by throwing around Holly Holm before submitting her in the second round with a rear-naked choke. Ketlen Vieira is ranked second at bantamweight and will have the misfortune of trying to tackle Harrison this weekend.Vieira has never been submitted before, but she’s never fought someone with Harrison’s grappling skill. Harrison is a physically imposing fighter who will overwhelm Vieira. Harrison wants to set up a shot at winning the title and this should be the performance that provides her the opportunity.
Bets to consider: Harrison by KO/TKO/DQ, Under 2.5 rounds
Thompson Needs a Win
Former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson has lost three of his four fights. Thompson will now be challenged with trying to take on power striker Joaquin Buckley. Regarding MMA breaking news, fight fans have seen a more reserved version of Buckley.
While Buckley was once a KO-or-bust type of fighter, he has shown the capacity to go the distance. Buckley’s most impressive win during his current four-fight winning streak came against Vincente Luque. During Buckley’s last fight, he was able to pick up a unanimous win over Nursulton Ruziboev.
Here are quick picks for the rest of the fights on the card:
Women’s strawweight, Marina Rodriguez (+140) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-180)
Middleweight, Cesar Almeida (-405) vs Ihor Potieria (+280)
Women’s strawweight, Carla Esparza (+135) vs. Tecia Pennington (-175)
Light Heavyweight, Ryan Spann (-335) vs. Ovince St. Preux (+250)
Welterweight, Court McGee vs. Tim Means (odds were unavailable)
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.
By Dean McHugh.
