UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is currently on a four-fight win streak, which includes defending his light heavyweight title twice. Pereira beat Jan Blachowicz, Jiří Procházka twice, and Jamahal Hill.
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Ever since Pereira moved up to light heavyweight, his skillset has shined in a way that has led him to become arguably the top fighter on the UFC roster. There were rumblings that Pereira would move up another weight class and potentially fight Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall for the heavyweight crown.
That will not be the case, for now, as UFC President Dana White has announced that Pereira will face off against a surprising opponent at UFC 307.
White took to X to announce that UFC 307 will take place at the Delta Center in Utah on Oct. 5. Pereira will be the main event, and is set to take on Khalil Roundtree Jr. for the light heavyweight title.
Roundtree is on a winning streak of his own, as he has secured six straight victories dating back to Sep. 2021. His most recent victory was against Anthony Smith on Dec. 9, 2023.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 29: Alex Pereira of Brazil celebrates after defeating Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic, not pictured, by technical knock out during a light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alex Pereira will face off against Khalil Roundtree at UFC 307
Ian Maule/Getty Images
Apart from Smith, Roundtree defeated Modestas Bukauskas in Sep. 2021, Karl Roberson in March 2022, Dustin Jacoby in Oct. 2022, and Chris Daukaus in Aug. 2023. Every fight was won by KO/TKO, apart from Jacoby.
Roundtree is currently the No. 8 ranked light heavyweight contender in the UFC. The only opponent that is in the top 15 that he has faced among his recent wins is Smith, who comes in at No. 12.
This is an odd matchup considering Pereira has faced former champions in his last four fights, while Roundtree has yet to face anyone in the top 10 of the light heavyweight division. Despite the ranked opponents, Roundtree will have his chance to capture gold.
The matchup between Pereira and Roundtree might also be the last time that we see Pereira in the light heavyweight division if the rumors of his moving up a weight class become true.
Should Pereira easily defeat Roundtree like he has his last four opponents, the move up in weight divisions will make complete sense.
As far as the heavyweight division, Jones is currently waiting to take on former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. The fight has been in the works since UFC 295 back in Nov. 2023. Jones injured his pectoral muscle and would not make the fight.
Miocic vs. Jones will happen, but there is no telling if either will retire following the fight. Aspinall just defended his interim heavyweight title and would be the next in line for a title shot.
In the meantime, if Pereira moved up, he might be able to land a first opponent in Aspinall. For now, Pereira will face Roundtree in October.
