If you were looking for a fight that lived up to the hype, look no further than the mountains of Utah. Honestly, the question of where was ufc 307 is about more than just a pin on a map. It was a massive statement for the city and a brutal showcase of what happens when the best in the world fight at high altitude.
On October 5, 2024, the UFC returned to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
This wasn't just some random stop on the tour. It was the promotion's fourth visit to the city, and the place was absolutely packed. We're talking about a capacity crowd of 17,487 fans screaming their heads off. The air is thin up there, which always adds a layer of "will they gas out?" to every single round.
Why Salt Lake City and the Delta Center Mattered
The Delta Center—home to the Utah Jazz—has basically become a second home for the UFC in recent years. It’s kinda interesting because Salt Lake City used to be overlooked in combat sports. Not anymore.
Dana White and the crew seem to love the energy there, and the $5,005,643 gate proves the fans are willing to shell out the big bucks.
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The thin mountain air at about 4,200 feet above sea level isn't just a talking point for the commentators. It's a real factor. You’ve got fighters coming from sea level who suddenly feel like they're breathing through a straw by the end of the second round. That altitude played a massive role in how the main event unfolded, especially as the rounds ticked into the championship minutes.
The Main Event: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.
If you missed the main event, you missed a masterclass in violence. Alex "Poatan" Pereira is just... he's a different breed. He defended his Light Heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree Jr., and for the first couple of rounds, it was actually pretty close.
Rountree came out swinging. He was fast. He was landing.
But then, the fourth round happened.
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Pereira started finding his rhythm, and Rountree started to fade. Maybe it was the damage, maybe it was that Salt Lake City air, but Pereira just dismantled him. The end came at 4:32 of the fourth round via TKO. It was a bloody, gritty fight that earned both men a well-deserved "Fight of the Night" bonus.
A Night of Controversial Decisions
While the main event was a clear finish, the rest of the card was a bit of a rollercoaster.
The co-main event saw Julianna Peña reclaim the Women's Bantamweight title from Raquel Pennington. It was a split decision that had a lot of people scratching their heads. Scorecards read 48–47, 47–48, and 48–47 in favor of Peña.
Then you had the legendary José Aldo.
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He fought Mario Bautista in a match that left a sour taste in many fans' mouths. Aldo looked sharp, defending every single one of Bautista’s takedown attempts (and there were many—like 10 officially), but the judges gave it to Bautista via split decision anyway. The crowd at the Delta Center was not happy about that one. You could hear the boos through the TV.
Quick Hits from the Rest of the Card
- Roman Dolidze got a TKO win over Kevin Holland because Holland basically broke his ribs in the first round.
- Kayla Harrison dominated Ketlen Vieira, though it was a bit more of a struggle than her debut. She still walked away with a unanimous decision.
- Joaquin Buckley put Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson's lights out in the third round. It was a brutal, leaping right hand that just ended things instantly.
- Court McGee, the hometown hero, kicked off the night with a submission win over Tim Means. The place went absolutely nuts for him.
What Most People Get Wrong About UFC 307
A lot of folks think these "high altitude" cards are just an excuse for fighters to get tired. In reality, it changes the entire strategy. You saw guys like Alexander Hernandez and Austin Hubbard having to manage their gas tanks in a way they wouldn't have to in Vegas or Florida.
Also, despite the controversy surrounding some of the decisions, the event was a massive success for the UFC’s expansion into the Mountain West. Salt Lake City has solidified itself as a premier destination for PPV events.
Actionable Takeaways for Fight Fans
If you’re planning on attending a future event in Salt Lake City or just want to understand the impact of where was ufc 307 located:
- Watch the Replay on UFC Fight Pass: If you only saw the highlights, go back and watch the early prelims. The Court McGee submission is a classic "old man strength" moment.
- Track the "Altitude Factor": Next time the UFC goes to Utah or Denver, look for fighters who have been training at elevation. It’s a huge betting edge.
- Respect the Gate: $5 million in a mid-sized market like SLC means the UFC will be back sooner rather than later. Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule for another Utah return.
The Delta Center proved once again that it can host a world-class atmosphere. Between Pereira's dominance and the wild judging, it was a night that kept everyone talking long after the lights went out in Utah.
Next Steps for You: You can now look up the official medical suspensions from UFC 307 to see just how much damage Rountree and Holland actually took during their fights.