UFC 307 Salt Lake City: Does Elevation Affect MMA Fighters? Utah’s Troubles for Alex Pereira, Khalil Rountree Jr. Headlined Card Explained

MMA combatants are, without a doubt, some of the most conditioned athletes in the world. Not only do they have high-level endurance but also have exceptional strength levels. Most fighters competing in the UFC train all year long in the hopes of getting an edge over their opponents. However, despite being world-class athletes, altitude does play a massive role, and even the fittest fighters fail to cope with it.

The most prominent case of this scenario came to light when Cain Velasquez gassed out in his heavyweight unification clash against Fabricio Werdum in Mexico City at UFC 188. ‘Cardio Cain’ famously underestimated the high altitude conditions of the venue and wasn’t able to capitalize on his massive gas tank. Another place that falls under the same banner is Utah, which has been home to multiple UFC events in the past, such as UFC 278 and UFC 291. The city has been nicknamed ‘Head Shot City’ after some unbelievable finishes at the events. So, let us take a closer look at Salt Lake City and the problems fighters face there.

What is the elevation of Salt Lake City, Utah, where UFC 307 takes place?

According to the MMA community, Salt Lake City has become one of the most iconic venues for the UFC and is known for delivering some memorable moments. However, the venue has never been an easy place for the fighters participating in it. One of the biggest reasons for that is the elevation. Salt Lake City sits at an elevation of about 4300 feet above sea level, which makes it a nightmare for the fighters because of the low oxygen present there.

The option to abort a fight because of high altitude has never been an option for the UFC fighters. This is precisely the case for the upcoming UFC 307 event, which will take place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some of the elite fighters in the promotion will be featured at the event, including Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’ will be taking on Khalil Rountree Jr. for his third title defense of the year 2024. The Brazilian is currently on a roll in his division and has won his last two fights via knockouts. However, he knows he will be in trouble not because of his opponent but mainly because of the altitude.

But what problems do the fighters face when fighting at a high altitude? Well, the basic one is that there is always less oxygen, which makes it tough for the fighters to recover in between rounds. Also, there is a dip in the intensity, and fans generally complain about seeing a boring fight at such a high altitude. Let us take a look at the fighters who have struggled in the past at these venues.

How does elevation affect fighters? Leon Edwards & others who have struggled before

Alex Pereira and his team traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, weeks before the event to help him acclimatize to the altitude and be 100% in the clash. However, this is not the case, as one such fighter who felt problems in the same venue was former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. ‘Rocky’ took on Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 and won the fight in the last round after delivering his famous ‘headshot’ to knock the then-champion out. While he did win the fight, Edwards pointed out the problems he faced mainly because of the altitude. After his famous victory while speaking to ‘MMA Hour,’ he pointed out how his body stopped reacting after the first round, which hampered his performance.

He said, “When we went out there, after the first round, I can’t explain it, my body just shut down. It was just a weird feeling. It wasn’t cardio, it was like my body just wasn’t reacting. In my head, I could think what I wanted to do, but my body just wasn’t doing it,”. Hopefully, this time around, none of the fighters will face the same problem and will be well prepared.

According to experts, it takes around 21 days for the body to acclimatize at such a high altitude. Pereira’s opponent Khalil Rountree Jr. has also been training in Park City, Utah, which is nearly 3,000 feet in elevation. With both fighters taking enough time to get used to the altitude, fans can expect to see a blockbuster clash at UFC 307. Are you excited for the event? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.