The highly anticipated main event of UFC 307, featuring Alex Pereira defending his Light Heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree Jr., did not go the distance, meaning a traditional decision scorecard was never needed. However, the official judges' scorecards for the rounds completed before the finish reveal a fascinating, and surprisingly competitive, narrative of a championship battle that was far from a one-sided affair until the champion turned up the heat in the later rounds. The fight, which took place on October 5, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah, ended with a dramatic TKO, but the scorecards leading up to that moment tell the true story of Rountree Jr.'s massive challenge to "Poatan."
The judges' tallies, frozen just moments before the spectacular finish, confirm that Khalil Rountree Jr. presented the most significant threat to Pereira’s title reign to date, landing heavy shots and forcing the champion to navigate serious adversity. The momentum, however, shifted decisively in the championship rounds, a testament to Pereira's legendary durability and fight-ending power.
The Fighters: Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. Biography and Profile
The main event of UFC 307 pitted two of the most devastating strikers in the Light Heavyweight division against one another. Their paths to the title bout highlight incredible journeys through the world of combat sports.
Alex "Poatan" Pereira (The Champion)
- Full Name: Alexsandro Pereira
- Nickname: Poatan (Stone Hand)
- Born: July 7, 1987, in São Paulo, Brazil
- Age (at UFC 307): 37
- Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
- Weight Class: Light Heavyweight (UFC Champion), former Middleweight Champion
- Style: Kickboxing (former GLORY Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion)
- UFC Record (Pre-Fight): 11-2 MMA (6-1 UFC)
- Notable Achievement: The only fighter to be a two-division world champion in both GLORY Kickboxing and the UFC.
- Background: Grew up in a favela and dropped out of middle school to work, battling alcoholism before turning his life around through kickboxing.
Khalil Rountree Jr. (The Challenger)
- Full Name: Khalil Ibn Rountree Jr.
- Born: February 26, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, USA
- Age (at UFC 307): 34
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
- Weight Class: Light Heavyweight
- Style: Mixed Martial Arts, known for devastating power and Muay Thai background.
- UFC Record (Pre-Fight): 13-5 (1 NC) MMA (7-5 UFC)
- Background: An alumnus of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) reality show. Rountree Jr. had built significant momentum with a string of knockout victories leading into the title shot.
UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. Official Scorecard Details
The Light Heavyweight Championship bout was scheduled for five rounds, but Alex Pereira successfully defended his title via TKO (strikes) at 4:32 of Round 4. Because the fight ended before the final bell, the judges' scorecards only reflect the scoring for the first three rounds. However, the official tallies were crucial in determining the momentum and the pressure on Rountree Jr. as the fight entered the championship rounds.
The Round-by-Round Breakdown Before the Finish
The fight was highly competitive in the early stages, with Rountree Jr. employing a smart, aggressive game plan that saw him land significant shots. The judges' scores reflected the back-and-forth nature, but the champion began to separate himself in the third round.
Official Scores After Round 3 (The Unofficial Tally):
| Judge | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total Score (Before R4 Finish) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judge A (Derek Cleary) | 10-9 Rountree Jr. | 10-9 Pereira | 10-9 Pereira | 29-28 Pereira |
| Judge B (Sal D'Amato) | 10-9 Pereira | 10-9 Pereira | 10-9 Pereira | 30-27 Pereira |
| Judge C (Chris Lee) | 10-9 Rountree Jr. | 10-9 Pereira | 10-9 Pereira | 29-28 Pereira |
The scorecards reveal that two of the three judges had the fight scored 29-28 for Alex Pereira, while one judge had it 30-27 for the champion. This means that despite the competitive nature of the contest, Pereira was ahead on all three cards heading into the decisive fourth round. Rountree Jr. had early success, winning the first round on two of the three cards by utilizing effective movement and crisp boxing, but Pereira’s pressure and power shots began to take their toll in the second and third rounds, leading to a unanimous 10-9 for the champion in both of those frames.
The Decisive Finish: Round 4 TKO
The fourth round proved to be the turning point where the accumulated damage, visible on Rountree Jr.'s face by the end of Round 3, finally manifested into the finish. As the fight entered the championship rounds, a domain where Pereira is known to excel, the champion's relentless pressure and powerful leg kicks began to slow the challenger.
Pereira, sensing his opponent was fading, stepped up the aggression. He connected with a devastating combination that rocked Rountree Jr., leading to a flurry of strikes that forced the referee to step in and stop the contest. The TKO victory not only marked Pereira's third successful title defense but also cemented his status as one of the most dominant champions in the division's history.
Analysis of the Scorecard and Fight Dynamics
The UFC 307 main event was a masterclass in championship-level striking and endurance. The scorecards highlight several key dynamics:
- Rountree Jr.'s Early Success: Khalil Rountree Jr. executed his game plan perfectly in the first round, utilizing lateral movement and powerful counter-strikes to win the round on two scorecards. This demonstrated that he was a legitimate threat to the title.
- Pereira's Championship Pace: As the fight progressed, Pereira’s incredible conditioning and ability to absorb damage while continually pressing forward became the difference-maker. His powerful body shots and calf kicks eroded Rountree Jr.'s base and defense, allowing him to sweep the second and third rounds on all cards.
- The 10-8 Watch: While no 10-8 rounds were officially scored in the first three, the dominance of Pereira in the third round and the subsequent finish in the fourth suggest that the champion was building towards a decisive gap. The TKO ultimately rendered any potential 10-8 or 10-7 scoring in the final round moot.
In conclusion, while the pereira vs rountree scorecard was never fully tallied for a decision, the round-by-round results up to the finish confirm a highly competitive, high-stakes battle. Alex Pereira ultimately showcased why he is the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, utilizing his world-class striking to overcome adversity and secure a brutal TKO victory in the championship rounds. The scorecard serves as a historical marker of the challenge Rountree Jr. posed before "Poatan" delivered the final, definitive blow.
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