Alex Pereira is a glitch in the matrix. Seriously. The guy just walked into the Delta Center in Salt Lake City and proved, once again, that he might be the most terrifying human being currently active in combat sports. But the UFC 307 fight card wasn't just about Poatan's left hook or his terrifyingly calm demeanor. It was a weird, bloody, and at times deeply controversial night of fights that left fans arguing on Reddit for weeks.
Most people went into the night expecting a quick blowout in the main event. Instead, they got a gritty war. They also got a co-main event decision that had the crowd booing so loud you could barely hear the post-fight interviews. If you missed the action on October 5, 2024, or you just want to relive the chaos, let's break down what actually went down in Utah.
The Brutality of the Main Event: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.
Everyone thought Khalil Rountree Jr. was a sacrificial lamb. Honestly, can you blame them? He was ranked eighth coming in, and Pereira had been starching former champions like it was a hobby. But Rountree showed up. He wasn’t just "there" for the paycheck; he actually won the first two rounds on many people's cards. He was fast, he was snapping the jab, and he even caught Pereira with a right hook that had the champ's knee touch the canvas.
Then, the altitude and the "Poatan" tax started to set in.
By the fourth round, Khalil’s face didn't even look like his own. Pereira began surgically dismantling him with a jab that felt like a power punch. The end came at 4:32 of Round 4. It wasn't a single "off-switch" hook this time. It was a cumulative, terrifying beating. Pereira pinned him against the fence and unloaded body shots and uppercuts until Rountree simply collapsed.
Alex Pereira has now defended that light heavyweight belt three times in seven months. That’s a pace that usually breaks fighters, but he seems to be getting better. It’s scary.
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The Co-Main Chaos: Why the Bantamweight Title Change Stings
If the main event was about closure, the co-main event was about pure, unadulterated controversy. Julianna Peña is once again the UFC Bantamweight Champion, but man, it was a close one. She defeated Raquel Pennington via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47), and the "And New" announcement was met with a chorus of boos.
Here’s the thing: Pennington looked like the fresher fighter late. She even dropped Peña in the fourth round. But the judges seemingly valued Peña’s early control time and her grappling in the middle rounds.
- Raquel Pennington: Felt she won three rounds and immediately called for a rematch.
- Julianna Peña: Reclaimed the belt after two years away but immediately started calling out a retired Amanda Nunes.
- The Crowd: Wanted anyone but the judges to decide that one.
Kayla Harrison was watching from the front row, and honestly, she looked unimpressed. She had her own tough night earlier on the UFC 307 fight card, winning a unanimous decision over Ketlen Vieira. It wasn't the "bulldozing" performance we expected. Harrison got cut open for the first time in her career, and while she dominated the grappling, Vieira made her work for every inch.
The Legend and the New Guard
We have to talk about José Aldo. Watching a Hall of Famer fight is always a bit of a "hold your breath" moment. He fought Mario Bautista, and it was... frustrating. Aldo’s takedown defense is still the gold standard—Bautista went 0-for-9 on takedown attempts.
However, Bautista used a "cage-pressing" strategy that essentially neutralized the legend. He didn't do much damage, but he kept Aldo pinned. The judges gave it to Bautista via split decision. The Salt Lake City crowd hated it. They wanted to see Aldo let his hands fly, but the modern MMA "grind" won the day.
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Full UFC 307 Results at a Glance
If you just want the raw data without the narrative, here is how the rest of the night shook out. No fancy tables, just the facts:
Main Card Highlights
Roman Dolidze got a TKO win over Kevin Holland because Holland’s rib basically gave up on him at the end of the first round. It was a freak injury that cut a potentially great fight short. Earlier, Joaquin Buckley absolutely starched the legendary "Wonderboy" Stephen Thompson. Buckley was probably losing that fight until he landed a leaping right hook in the third round that put Wonderboy out cold. It was a "Performance of the Night" winner for a reason.
The Prelims and Early Action
Iasmin Lucindo edged out Marina Rodriguez in a split decision that signaled a changing of the guard at strawweight. Alexander Hernandez took a split decision over Austin Hubbard in a total dogfight. Meanwhile, Cesar Almeida stayed undefeated by outpointing Ihor Potieria over three rounds.
The early prelims were actually some of the most exciting moments of the night. Ryan Spann snapped a losing streak by choking out Ovince Saint Preux in less than two minutes. Tecia Pennington (Raquel’s wife) beat Carla Esparza in what was Esparza's retirement fight. It was a bittersweet moment for "The Cookie Monster," but Tecia looked sharp. And the night actually started with a local hero, Court McGee, getting his first finish in 13 years by submitting Tim Means.
What This Means for the Future
The UFC 307 fight card shifted the landscape of two divisions significantly. In the light heavyweight world, we are running out of challengers for Pereira. Magomed Ankalaev is the name everyone screams, and it feels like the only fight left that carries real intrigue at 205 pounds.
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In the women’s bantamweight division, it’s a mess—but an entertaining one. Peña is the champ, Harrison is the "uncrowned" queen, and Pennington wants her belt back.
Actionable Insights for MMA Fans:
- Watch the Harrison vs. Vieira Replay: If you want to see how to beat Kayla Harrison, look at the second round of this fight. Vieira’s elbows from the bottom and her sprawl are the blueprint.
- Follow the Ankalaev News: Now that Pereira has cleared Rountree, the UFC is under immense pressure to make the Ankalaev fight. Keep an eye on the early 2026 schedule for that announcement.
- Don't Write Off Rountree: Khalil proved he belongs in the top five. He might have lost, but his stock has never been higher. He’s a "must-watch" for his next three fights.
The altitude in Salt Lake City clearly affected the gas tanks of several fighters, which is something to keep in mind for future cards at the Delta Center. Fighters who didn't arrive early to acclimate, like Hubbard or potentially even Harrison, seemed to hit a wall much faster than usual.
If you're looking for the next big event, the fallout from this card is going to dictate the championship trajectory for the first half of 2026. Pereira's dominance is the story, but the cracks in the bantamweight division are where the drama is hidden. Keep your eyes on the rankings updates; they’re going to be volatile.