UFC 307 Main Card Unveiled: Alex Pereira to Defend Light Heavyweight Title Against Khalil Rountree Jr.

The UFC has officially announced the main card for UFC 307, set to take place on October 5, 2024, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event promises to deliver a thrilling night of action, headlined by a light heavyweight title bout between champion Alex Pereira and the surging contender Khalil Rountree Jr.

Pereira, the former two-division Glory kickboxing champion and former UFC middleweight titleholder, will be making his third defense of the light heavyweight crown since capturing the belt with a spectacular knockout victory over Jiri Prochazka earlier this year. The Brazilian striker has quickly become one of the most feared competitors in the UFC, known for his devastating knockout power and technical striking prowess.

Rountree Jr., on the other hand, has earned his shot at the title through a series of impressive performances, including a recent knockout win over Anthony Smith. The American fighter has shown significant improvements in his striking and overall game, making this matchup a potentially explosive encounter between two elite strikers.

In the co-main event, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington will put her title on the line against former champion Julianna Peña. Pennington, who captured the vacant title with a victory over Mayra Bueno Silva, will be looking to cement her status as the division’s top fighter. Peña, known for her upset victory over Amanda Nunes to win the title in 2021, aims to reclaim her spot at the top of the bantamweight division.

The main card will also feature a women’s bantamweight clash between fan-favorite Kayla Harrison and the hard-hitting Ketlen Vieira. Harrison the former PFL Champion, , will face a stern test in Vieira, who has gained notoriety for her knockout power.

The middleweight division will see action as Roman Dolidze faces off against the always-entertaining Kevin Holland. Both fighters are known for their finishing abilities, making this a potential show-stealer on the main card.

Rounding out the main card is a featherweight bout between the undefeated Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who will be making his second fight in the 145-pound division. This matchup could have significant implications for the featherweight title picture.

The event will also feature several intriguing preliminary bouts, including a light heavyweight contest between Ovince Saint Preux and Ryan Spann, as well as a welterweight clash between veterans Stephen Thompson and Joaquin Buckley.

UFC 307 marks the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, following the success of UFC 291 in July 2023. The card is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events of the year, with a mix of established stars and rising talents across multiple weight classes.

UFC 307 Fight Card

Main card, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV

• Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. — for light heavyweight title
• Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña – for women’s bantamweight title
• Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
• Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison
• Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland

Preliminary Card, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+

• Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley
• Nate Landwehr vs. Austin Hubbard
• Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington
• Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
• Ryan Spann vs. Ovince Saint Preux
• Mauricio Ruffy vs. TBA
• Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo
• Court McGee vs. Tim Means
• Cesar Almeida vs. Ihor Potieria