Alex Pereira has been confirmed to make his octagon return for the third time in just seven months as he headlines in yet another light-heavyweight title showdown.
The Brazilian had asked for a return in either November or December at earliest after two back-to-back late notice defences of his belt. But it appears that the UFC have managed to twist his arm, with promoter Dana White announcing that at UFC 307 in October, he will face Khalil Rountree Jr.
White confirmed the news in a social media video today, much to the surprise of fans and fellow fighters. Rountree earlier this year was slapped with a two-month sanction after revealing that unknowingly he took a supplement that contained a banned substance, and reported it to UFC officials.
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Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree Jr confirmed for UFC 307
In a video shared to social media today, Dana White confirmed that UFC 307 will be headlined by yet another Alex Pereira title defence. The Salt Lake City, Utah event on October 5 will feature the Brazilian, competing in his fourth fight in 11 months, taking on number eight-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr.
The event will also have a co-headliner for the bantamweight belt between Racquel Pennington and Julianna Pena. The undercard has already been confirmed at various points to feature the likes of Aljamain Sterling against Movsar Evloev and Kayla Harrison’s comeback against Ketlen Vieira.
Pereira is expected to be a massive favourite against Rountree, who seemingly skips Magomed Ankalaev in the line for a shot at gold. Even Nikita Krylov and Volkan Oezdemir rank above him in the 205lb standings, with the latter winning as recently as June.
Jamahal Hill among critics of UFC 307 title fight announcement
Former light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill was stunned to see Pereira’s comeback fight be announced as Khalil Rountree Jr. He noted that the fighter recently pulled out of a bout between the pair that was due to decide a number one contender as a result of his failed drugs test.
“Can’t believe what I just saw announced!” Hill wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “So a guy pulls out of a contender fight because of failed drug test for a banned substances and gets rewarded with a title shot?!! This is terrible for the sport and makes the rankings completely pointless!!!”
Hill was joined by a number of fans in airing his grievances, as well as journalist Ben Fowlkes who posted: “Gotta say, if you’d asked me what was next for Khalil Rountree Jr. after withdrawing from a fight and proactively admitting to an accidental anti-doping policy violation I would not have said: title shot. This wacky sport, man.
Alex Pereira previously claimed he couldn’t fight in October before UFC 307 announcement
Regardless of the controversy surrounding his opponent, it also appears that the date for this fight is directly against the wishes of Alex Pereira himself. In a video less than a month ago on his YouTube channel, Pereira confirmed that he wouldn’t be fighting before November.
“When I return, it won’t be now,” he insisted. “I want to rest a little, evolve my training. But I think December would be a good date for me. November or December. But before November I don’t want to return. I want to rest and evolve.”
He had also noted that he was otherwise engaged for October, but it appears that once again he has been asked to come in and save the day for the UFC. In April he was drafted in to headline at UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill.
And just two months later he was asked to do the same on just a few weeks’ notice at UFC 303 in June when Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler was cancelled. He took on Jiri Prochazka in a massive rematch, winning by knockout in the second.
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