UFC 307 is almost upon us and a sure-shot clash of ‘titans’ looms on the horizon. Salt Lake City’s Delta Center is set to host Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. as they clash for the Light heavyweight gold. As the title hangs in the balance, MMA fans, commentators, and pundits have started etching a course for how the actual fight will go down.

The majority goes to the probable side of a striking clinic with either man looking to shut each other’s lights as they enter the Octagon. Both the fighters are famous for their devastating striking ability and tactical mindset. However, UFC’s perennial voice Joe Rogan believes that the defending champion will also look to activate other skills from his impressive arsenal.

Joe Rogan believes that ‘Poatan’ will look to neutralize Rountree Jr. with his grappling

The UFC has always been home to a multitude of styles. A common occurrence is that fighters look to mix in different elements of the fight game and try to be as well-rounded as possible. This has not been the case with Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira. The Brazilian has always employed his striking, especially his ‘left hook’ to neutralize the best in the business.

Recently on his ‘The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show’ #154, Rogan and his guests including Matt Serra, Din Thomas, and John Rallo stated the possibility of ‘Poatan’ adding a ‘twist’ of grappling in his game. Rogan said, “He’s gotta learn it you know! Why not! I mean why not just do that [grappling]? If he mixes that in, how many more strikes will he land too? There will be a real threat of him taking you down and by the way, how strong would that guy be on the ground?!” The same sentiment was echoed by Serra who felt strongly that Pereira would look to mix things up this time around.

He stated, “I think Pereira is gonna mix in the takedowns. I mean look at it, there is no one more confident on the feet than him but he hangs out with our good friend Glover Teixeira and you see him sparring and you see him mixing that. Is he doing that just for giggles? His cardio maybe? Or! He could be dealing with Rountree and say, you know what! Let me show them what I am made up of!”

These comments surely challenge the general narrative floating around Pereira’s chances at UFC 307. Amidst a polarising view, many have predicted the outcome of this much-anticipated title bout.

Will it be ‘Poatan’s night or will we witness a change of guard at UFC 307?

Predictions and speculation in UFC are parts that are as old as the sport itself. This is no different in the latest offering from the MMA juggernaut for UFC 307 which is expected to go down as an all-timer. The popular stance is that Alex Pereira will register his 3rd successful title defense with prominent names like Sean Strickland predicting a dominant victory for ‘Poatan’.

He said, “We’ve had a lot of wars. The problem with Alex is that he hits hard, you guys – extremely hard. I just can’t see Khalil pulling it off. I don’t think he has the tools to beat Alex. He’s not knocking him out, not outstriking him, and surely not out-wrestling him. I think Alex is going to make easy work of this fight.” However, this view isn’t shared by all. UFC veteran Chael Sonnen strongly believes that Rountree Jr. will prevail and walk out as champion. ‘The American Gangster’ further added, “Rountree is going to walk through Pereira.”

Kamaru Usman shared the same view on his podcast ‘Pound for Pound’ joined by Henry Cejudo. The Nigerian Nightmare’ stated, “But no, listen, I think I’m going to shock everybody here. While you’re saying everyone just stands and strikes with him and they lose, I think you’re [Cejudo] wrong. I think Khalil Rountree Jr. shocks the world.” Even former UFC heavyweight, Brendan Schaub is betting his dollar on ‘The War Horse’.

What are your thoughts on the entire matter? Will we witness Pereira in a form we have never seen before? Can Rountree Jr. do enough to upset the odds? Drop your comments below!