Matches to Make After UFC 307
The UFC returned to Utah last Saturday for UFC 307. Headlining the event was the most active Champion of 2024, Alex “Poatan” Pereira, versus Khalil Rountree Jr. Alex has successfully defended his Light Heavyweight Championship three times in 2024 with a TKO win over Roundtree Jr. The Co-main event featured Raquel Pennington versus Juliana Peña; UFC 307 also had other fun fights, including Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson versus Joaquin Buckley, The retirement of UFC’s first Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza and questionable judging around the whole card. After every UFC event, the matchmakers get together during the week and figure out what's next for their athletes. Here are the fights that we need to see next.
Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr
Alex Pereira added another finish to his Light Heavyweight reign, but Poatan did have some trouble with Khalil Rountree's southpaw stance. Alex was able to put pressure on Khalil in the third and fourth round; even though Khalil tried his best to strike back, his punches were no longer phasing “Poatan.” Pereira was able to throw big hooks to the body that crumbled Rountree. Now Rountree has no reason to have his head down after his loss to “Poatan” because he is the first person since Alex became champion to win a round against him. Alex Pereira explained the complications he has had with his health this year, including knee surgery, a broken toe at UFC 300 and UFC 303, and an infection that he was taking antibiotics for during his match up with Khalil. I think it’s best for Pereira to take some time off to allow his body to recover before taking his next fight; however, there is a Light Heavyweight title eliminator bout between Magomed Ankaalaev and Aleksandar Rakić happening At UFC 308. The winner of that fight will most likely be Pereira’s next opponent. As for Khalil Rountree, he’s shown that he has the potential to be a hard fight for any Light Heavyweight fighter. He’s the eighth ranked Light Heavyweight contender in the UFC. With his performance at UFC 307, some may wonder how he’s not higher in the rankings; I think the UFC should rebook Khalil Rountree with Jamahal Hill.
Raquel Pennington and Juliana Peña
Raquel Pennington and Juliana Peña put on a decent battle for the Women’s Bantamweight Championship. Juliana won by a split decision in a fight that could have been anybody’s fight. Juliana's jab was landing beautifully, and when she was able to get Pennington on the ground, Juliana was able to dominate easily. Pennington had the better striking overall, but Raquel did seem to have a hard time engaging with the threat of a Juliana Peña takedown. Pennington was able to knock down Peña in the last round. However, Pennington did not do enough to sway the judges in her favor. After her win at UFC 307, Juliana called out the former 2 division champion Amanda Nunes. Nunes and Peña are both 1-1 in their rivalry. Calling Amanda Nunez out of retirement is a risky move. However, it seems like Juliana wants to be the first to defeat Amanda Nunes twice. Raquel Pennington probably shouldn’t get a rematch to Juliana quickly since she’s never defended her title; there is a Women’s Bantamweight fighter that does need a fight if Peña and Nunes decide to have a trilogy; Pennington should fight Kayla Harrison in a title eliminator bout.
Joaquin Buckley
Joaquin Buckley battled the UFC’s Welterweight veteran Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson; during the fight, Stephen was able to point fight a tad bit more than Buckley. Going into the fight, it was clear that Buckley would have the power advantage. It seems the game plan was to clinch and grapple Thompson to slow him down. Buckley made a read when he saw Thompson would circle to Buckley’s power hand; after backing Thompson to the cage, Buckley threw a massive leaping right hook that sent Thompson to the canvas. After a big win over “Wonderboy,” Buckley called out the former Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Usman is open to accepting the fight; with Usman on a three fight losing streak, it would make sense for him to accept a fight against the younger fighter to try to prove he’s still on top of the Welterweight division. For the UFC Welterweight veteran Stephen Thompson, he should fight UFC newcomer and Bellator veteran Michael “Venom” Page. Their karate style should make for a fun fight in the Welterweight division.
