Pereira continues perfect streak, knocks out Rountree

SALT LAKE CITY: Khalil Rountree fell short in his title bout against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 307 on Sunday. The number 8 ranked light heavyweight showed an immense amout of heart and willpweor, but the domineering pressure of Periera became too much to handle in the fourth round.

EARLY ROUNDS

Rountree looked good early on. He focused on his boxing, maintaining distance against Pereira who fans of the sport will know, can end a fight in a matter of seconds. Despite the constant fear of Pereira’s power, Rountree did well to not let himself be trapped.

Each time the American found himself being forced near the cage, he managed to escape what seemed to be inevitable and made his way back to the center of the octagon. Unfortunately, an impressive defensive showing isnt enough to win a fight. While Rountree threw a slew of strikes, they didnt quite reach their target. Pereira moved with the punches, as each blow fell just a little bit short. The few that did land didnt have much power behind them.

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Regardless, Rountree was already doing better than most of Pereira’s previous opponents. He left the first round relatively unscathed. However, Pereira was poking at Rountree’s lead leg with a barrage of vicious, and untelegraphed, calf kicks that were sure to be a problem later in the fight.

The second round saw Rountree build in confidence. More punches of which more landed. And yet, Pereira continued to look unfazed. Rountree had managed to win the respect of the Brazillian champion, but that didnt stop pereira from pushing forward. The American was forced to fight on the backfoot. Rountree still managed to land two devastating blows to Pereira. The first was a right hand that clipped the champion after an attempted head kick only found the air. The second was a head kick that did land, but it was for the challenger right at the rounds end.

In the third, teh gruelling task of fighting while moving backwards was making its effects clear. Rountree began the round well, mixing in shots to the body with his attempted assault on Pereira’s face. One body kick in particular drew an odd reaction out of the champion, as he let himself fall back into the cage as his hands fell to his sides.

Rountree’s offense was becoming more effective, but the debilitating calf kicks and exhausting pressure of Pereira was beginning to become too much for the American to handle. He became visibly tired, and Pereira took advantage. The champion ended the round strong, with a couple of knees to Rountree’s skull.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS

As Rountree sat on his corner stool in between rounds, with only 10 minutes left in the fight, his corner told him the cold hard truth. Pereira was getting more confident and was losing respect for the American. His corner instructed him to earn it back, but the only thing waiting for Rountree was a devastating beatdown.

Not long into the fourth round, Pereira finally let his hands go. Stiff jabs and bleak right hands were taking its toll on Rountree. He tried to fend off the assault, but to no avail. Soon he was stumbling around the octagon, as he tried his best to land anything he could.

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Eventually, the challenger was backed up against the cage and the champion struck him with two vicious hooks to the body. Rountree dropped his head in agony, and was met with a right uppercut from Pereira that ended the bout.

It was the Brazilian’s third win of the year, and the 10th knockout of his mixed martial arts career.