Pereira makes history in stoppage win over Rountree

Alex Pereira retained his UFC light-heavyweight title by stopping Khalil Rountree in four rounds at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Saturday.

The Brazilian survived a scare in the second round after being dropped a counter right hand.

Pereira, 37, recovered and resumed methodically breaking Rountree down, eventually finishing the bloodied and exhausted American with an uppercut.

With the victory, Pereira sets a new record in the UFC with the shortest period between three consecutive defences.

The record was previously held by UFC legend Ronda Rousey, but with defences in April, June and at UFC 307, Pereira has successfully defended his title three times in just 175 days.

Pereira maintains his position as one of the most feared strikers in the UFC, with four stoppage victories in a row.

His run in 2024 includes two former champions in Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, but found a game opponent in Rountree.

“I can say that this was one of the toughest fights,” Pereira said afterwards.

“I expected that. He showed tonight why he’s got so much quality in here.”

The former middleweight champion had teased a move up to heavyweight or back down to middleweight, but said in his post-fight interview he was staying at 205lb (14st 6lb, 93kg).

“I can move up to heavyweight but this division is great and this is where I am at,” he said.

Pereira improved his record to 12 wins and just two losses while Rountree picked up his sixth defeat in 19 fights.

Pena becomes champion again courtesy of razor-thin win

Julianna Pena reclaimed the UFC bantamweight title with a controversial split decision win over Raquel Pennington.

Pena, 35, had spells of control over the five rounds with takedowns but was hurt by some pinpoint striking, including a big right hand which sent her tumbling to the canvas in the fourth round.

Pena was able to survive and the fighters exchanged right hands in the final round before the bell rang.

Two judges saw it 48-47 for Pena, while a third saw it for Pennington. The result was booed by the crowd.

“I wasn’t sure,” Pena said of her feelings before the scorecards were read out.

“I heard these judges tonight were doing some crazy stuff. It’s unfortunate I went to a decision. Just a loss of focus and that’s what I would say, I got dropped.

“Definitely need to be a little bit more focused.”

Pennington, 36, could demand a rematch, but a new top contender emerged on the undercard as two-time Olympic judo champion Kayla Harrison claimed her second win in the UFC.

Harrison, 34, improved her record to 18-1 with a unanimous points win over Ketlen Vieira.

Vieira asked questions of Harrison, opening up a cut on her forehead, but Harrison fought through the pain and was on top for large stretches of the contest.

“Ladies, enjoy it while you can cause the Queen is home and she’s coming for that gold,” Harrison said in her post-fight speech.

McGregor backs Aldo after controversial loss

Conor McGregor was among those outraged by Jose Aldo’s defeat by Mario Bautista.

Aldo, 38, was aiming to put himself in contention for one final title shot at bantamweight with a second victory in a row.

The Brazilian landed more strikes and stuffed all of Bautista’s takedown attempts, but was undone by two of the judges’ scorecards who saw the contest 29-28 for Bautista.

The result sees Aldo suffer his ninth pro loss in 41 matches, while 31-year-old Bautista picks up his biggest career win and a seventh victory in a row.

McGregor posted on social media he was unhappy Bautista’s control was given precedence over the damage done by Aldo.

“That was Jose’s story,” McGregor said.

“He has just said he was shooting in just to hold him against the fence. That’s not good enough.

“Referees need to step in here. This sport is the fans’ sport. Remember this and act accordingly referees.”

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