Worrying statistics stacked against Alex Pereira for UFC 307 title defense vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Modified Oct 01, 2024 10:30 GMT

Alex Pereira (pictured) has lately cemented himself as one of the biggest stars in the sport of MMA and the UFC organization [Image courtesy: Getty Images] — Alex Pereira has lately cemented himself as one of the biggest stars in the sport of MMA. [Image courtesy: Getty Images]

Alex Pereira faces Khalil Rountree Jr. in a highly anticipated showdown next, which many have hailed as a striking fan's dream matchup. Pereira is a massive betting favorite to beat Rountree Jr. Nevertheless,a certain statistic paints a rather ominous picture for him heading into the upcoming fight.

Pereira is a former Glory kickboxing middleweight and light heavyweight champion. In MMA, 'Poatan' is a former UFC middleweight champion and the current UFC light heavyweight champion. He's notched two successful title defenses as the light heavyweight kingpin.

He'll attempt his third against Muay Thai striking savant Rountree Jr. Pereira is scheduled to defend his UFC light heavyweight belt against the American in the headlining match of UFC 307 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., on Oct. 5, 2024.

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As reported by Sports Illustrated, a few statistics concerning Alex Pereira and Rountree Jr. indicate that the latter could possibly end up dethroning the fearsome champion. Notably, 'The War Horse' is unbeaten against the former Glory kickboxers inside the UFC octagon.

He faced kickboxing great Gokhan Saki at UFC 226 in July 2018. Saki, a former K-1 titlist and ex-Glory kickboxing light heavyweight champion, was thoroughly out-struck and lost to Rountree via first-round TKO.

Saki boasts a kickboxing record of 82 wins, 16 losses, and 1 No Contest. He went 8-2 in the Glory kickboxing organization. Rountree's supporters often highlight that Saki's kickboxing accolades make the aforementioned victory even more impressive.

A few fights later, Rountree Jr. defeated Karl Roberson via second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev in March 2022. Roberson was 0-3 in kickboxing and 0-2 in Glory. In his very next fight, Rountree beat Dustin Jacoby via split decision at UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen in Oct. 2022. Jacoby went 10-8 in kickboxing and 7-8 in Glory.

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Pereira is the fourth former Glory kickboxer whom Rountree Jr. faces in an MMA bout in the UFC. If Pereira defeats Rountree, he'll be the first former Glory kickboxer to do so. 'Poatan' went 33-7 in kickboxing and 12-4 under the Glory banner.

Though faced with daunting statistics, it's noteworthy that Pereira has been considerably more successful in MMA than the aforementioned three ex-Glory kickboxers.

Chael Sonnen predicts Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

MMA fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen took to his official YouTube channel to suggest that the Alex Pereira-Khalil Rountree Jr. matchup won't bode well for the reigning champion. 'The American Gangster' reiterated the same on ESPN MMA's Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside MMA great Daniel Cormier.

Sonnen implied that the UFC appears to have inadvertently booked one of its top stars, Pereira, against a bad stylistic matchup in Rountree Jr. He alluded to some fans accusing Pereira of avoiding grappling wizard Magomed Ankalaev and choosing the lower-ranked and supposedly easier-to-fight Rountree Jr.

Furthermore, Sonnen foresees Pereira finding himself in a tougher fight than expected, which would result in falling prey. Warning that Rountree Jr. is a counter-striker who thrives against aggressive kickboxers like 'Poatan', he asserted: