The now annual Salt Lake City UFC pay-per-view is back with UFC 307, and the card is being headlined by possibly the company's biggest star and light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereria.
Pereira, who claimed the light-heavyweight title just 11 months ago by defeating Jiri Prochazka at Madison Square Garden, is now set to make his third title defense of the calendar year.
The former Glory Kickboxing champion has already secured knockout victories over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and Jiri Prochazka in their rematch at UFC 303.
The new foe for Pereria is Khalil Rountree Jr, who is riding a five-fight unbeaten streak, four of which have been won via knockout.
He was seen as a controversial choice to challenge the 205-pound champion; however, the fight is upon us, and he will look to keep up the streak of underdogs upsetting the UFC apple cart with a victory this weekend.
This particular title fight echoes the intensity of those classic Mike Tyson heavyweight bouts from the ‘90s, where the outcome hinged on who could land the decisive blow first.
Pereira enters the ring with distinct advantages in striking, height, reach, and big-fight experience, making him the rightful favourite. However, the challenger carries power that could turn the tide in an instant.
There has only been one takedown attempted in their UFC career between the championship combatants, with the champion issuing a challenge to Rountree to keep the fight standing, which the challenger happily obliged with.
This matchup will ultimately test whether Pereira’s recent string of successes has fuelled his ego and superstardom that could potentially have left him vulnerable.
It promises to be a thrilling clash of striking and a single punch could reshape the entire division.
The card features another championship bout with UFC Bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington making her first defence of her title against former champion Julianna Pena.
Pennington won the vacant title over Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297, after the greatest women’s MMA fighter ever Amanda Nunes retired and vacated the title at UFC 287.
The now current champion has not tasted defeat in her last six bouts and will look to provide the same stability Nunes brought to the division.
Pena, who famously holds a victory over Amanda Nunes, hasn’t fought in 26 months since suffering a decisive loss in their last encounter.
In a division that often struggles with flair and star power, Pena has channelled her inner trash talker, much like Colby Covington and Chael Sonnen before her, to land another high-profile matchup.
This clash of UFC veterans promises to be a gritty showdown, as both fighters seek to validate their championship credentials.
However these championship fights play out, the Utah crowd seems to be in for a treat. As Utah’s most recent events have showcased the underdogs pulling off thrilling head-kick finishes in consecutive main events.
Leon Edwards famously solidified his legacy with his “headshot dead” knockout over long-reigning champion Kamaru Usman, while Justin Gaethje captured the BMF title by stopping Dustin Poirier in the second round.
Other notable names on this card include legends such as Jose Aldo, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and fan favourite Kevin Holland.
All the action for UFC 307 can be streamed on Main Event via Kayo Sports and Foxtel on Sunday morning.
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