At UFC 307, Alex Pereira is gearing up to make the third defense of his light-heavyweight crown. His opponent, the no. 8 ranked Khalil Rountree, is a dangerous striker who is coming off a devastating finish over Anthony Smith in 2023 and is currently on a 5-fight win streak. But could there be a storm brewing for Pereira that he might have overlooked?

Daniel Cormier thinks so. According to the former champ-champ, UFC boss Dana White may have set Pereira up for an outcome no one could predict. While ‘Poatan’ is coming into this fight as a heavy favorite, according to Cormier, the entire situation reminds him of a “trap” and the champion may need to watch his step!

Daniel Cormier sends alarm bells ringing as he exposes UFC and Dana White’s plans for Alex Pereira at UFC 307 

According to the oddsmakers at DraftKings, Alex Pereira is sitting at a comfortable -500, while Khalil Rountree stands as the underdog at +380 going into UFC 307. To many, this fight looks like a mismatch, but Daniel Cormier sees danger lurking for Pereira.

Speaking on an episode of ‘Funky and the Champ’, the UFC commentator and former champion stated, “It would seem that a guy who’s ranked no. 8 in the world taking on the champion is a blueprint for an upset… They call them ‘trap games’ in football. This feels like a trap game for Alex Pereira. And if he ain’t ready, it seems like Khalil Rountree with his power can knock him out.”

The term “trap game” is used when a favorite might overlook a seemingly weaker opponent, only to be caught off guard. Could that be the same fate that awaits Alex Pereira come fight night? Because Cormier also pointed out that Salt Lake City, Utah has been a breeding ground for shockers. Just look back at UFC 278 in 2022, when Kamaru Usman, on the verge of victory, was knocked out cold by Leon Edwards in the final moments of their welterweight title clash.

So, could it be that Dana White, the mastermind behind this matchup, had the same outcome in mind? Cormier’s statements seem to indicate that Rountree’s selection feels strategic because, “…if there’s anything to be said about Salt Lake City, upsets happen.”

 As UFC 307 approaches, one thing is certain: Khalil Rountree has nothing to lose and everything to gain. After all, in a recent statement, the 205 lbs. title contender has revealed that he doesn’t see himself as the underdog. In fact, he believes Alex Pereira knows exactly what he’s up against!

‘The War Horse’ isn’t going to change his tactics for ‘Poatan’  

Khalil Rountree, with his explosive power and striking prowess, is determined to make his mark in the Octagon at UFC 307. But the question on everyone’s mind is: Can he go toe-to-toe with one of the best strikers in MMA history? Because so far in the UFC, it’s only Israel Adesanya who has managed to catch ‘Poatan’ on the feet and send him crashing to the canvas when they faced off at UFC 287 in 2023.

During the UFC 307 media day, ‘The War Horse’ shared, “I’d like to believe that he’s not going to come in overconfident…momentum can allow us to have a certain type of confidence, which can be good, but I think the both of us on each side know what we’re up against.”

Pereira, a former two-weight Glory Kickboxing champion, might be one of the most feared strikers in the sport, but Rountree isn’t backing down or willing to turn to wrestle against Pereira. Why? Rountree stated, “Don’t expect anything different. Expect me. Expect who you’ve always seen. Now, if something happens, and I get damaged, there’s no choice but to shoot for a takedown, OK, maybe that happens. But my gameplan hasn’t changed.”

Of course, a fight plan is never set in stone, and as Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” But so far, it seems like this fight will be settled on the feet, where both men feel at home. Could Daniel Cormier’s warning come true for Alex Pereira about a “trap”? Or will ‘Poatan’ walk away with another title defense under his belt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!