UFC 307 takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah this week, with a pair of title fights headlining the show — one expected, and one a bit of a surprise, quite frankly.
In the main event, Khalil Rountree Jr. is set to challenge light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira, a match-up that took many by surprise. The UFC’s official rankings, voted on by members of the media and repeatedly maligned by UFC CEO and President Dana White, have Rountree ranked #8, with fellow contender Magomed Ankalaev sitting well ahead in the #3 spot.
Say what you will about those rankings (White certainly has said plenty, suggesting AI could replace the combat sports writers who currently comprise the rankings panel), but the reality is that Ankalaev has the better resume over the past couple of years. That said, the Dagestani fighter had a shot at the then-vacant 205lb title in December of 2022, and fought to a frankly dull draw with Jan Blachowicz. His only fights since came against Johnny Walker, a No Contest (Ankalaev landed an illegal knee) followed by a knockout this past January.
That 2022 title fight was no doubt on the UFC matchmakers’ minds when Pereira vs. Rountree was booked. Rountree has four TKO finishes on his current five-fight win streak, after all.
In the co-main event, the women’s bantamweight title will be on the line when champ Raquel Pennington faces old TUF 18 roommate Julianna Pena. A much more expected title fight, with Kayla Harrison waiting in the wings (she faces Ketlen Vieiera earlier on the UFC 307 card). Pena will look to reclaim gold in the fight, while “Rocky” Pennington looks to make her first title defense.
Ahead of UFC 307 tune in for the pre-fight press conference, going down live in Salt Lake City, Utah. That kicks off at 7PM ET, 4PM PT this afternoon, and is available in the embed above.
