Israel Adesanya shares prediction for Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. title clash at UFC 307: "Everyone else, he's washed"

Alex Pereira will look to defend his light heavyweight title for the third time in 2024 when he faces Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 this weekend. Israel Adesanya, who shares a rivalry with 'Poatan', dating back to their kickboxing days, recently shared his prediction for the upcoming bout.

Speaking on The Adam Carolla Show, the two-time middleweight champion was asked who he believes will win. He answered:

"I'll go Pereira because momentum right now. Also, I just know Rountree doesn't grapple. He likes to kickbox. He's never gone for a takedown and I'm like, if you're going to do that with Pereira, there's one person who - I mean, I'm the only one who's ever even rocked him or stood with him in the UFC. Everyone else he's washed."

Adesanya continued:

"Rountree, I feel like, will be able if he can make it dirty and catch him, he can catch him, but it's so hard to do with Pereira. Because Rountree, his reach, might not be able to get to him. Pereira likes to use this defense, his long reach and frame and then a check left hook... I'm going to go Pereira and I'm going to go TKO or KO. I don't know what round, but I just feel like it'll be hard for Rountree to get past his frame."

Check out Israel Adesanya's comments on Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree below (50:00):

Adesanya agreed with co-host and retired mixed martial artist Jason 'Mayhem' Miller that a knockout could happen in the second or third round. 'The Last Stylebender' added that Pereira will utilize leg kicks and could catch Rountree, who he believes will be on the attack, as he comes in.

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Khalil Rountree claims to have special move for Alex Pereira

Khalil Rountree will have the first title opportunity of his mixed martial arts career when he faces Alex Pereira at UFC 307. The No. 8-ranked light heavyweight recently revealed he has a move that has never been seen before, that he may use.

Speaking to Megan Olivi of ESPN MMA, he confirmed the move's existence. He noted that he did not know he'd be facing 'Poatan' when he first told Joe Rogan about the move before adding:

"There are guys in the division that I can see it working on 100%. "There could be a possibility of this happening, of this move, this technique happening at [UFC 307]. There could be. Yeah. I mean, it's definitely possible. Am I hunting for it? No. If it presents itself, everyone will know, like, 'oh s**t, that's it, that's what he was talking about'."

Check out Khalil Rountree's comments below (30:43):

It is unclear what move Rountree is discussing or if he will utilize it against Pereira this weekend. 'The War Horse' became the first fighter to use an oblique kick to finish a fight when he defeated Modestas Bukauskas via second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 191.