'Disrespected' Rountree Will Avoid Stoning At UFC 307

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There's no argument that Khalil Rountree Jr. should be the betting underdog heading into his title fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira later this evening (Sat., Oct. 5, 2024) at UFC 307 live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, but "War Horse" still feels "disrespected" that nobody expects him to win at all.

While Rountree should feel excited for his first-ever UFC title shot this experience has been a weird one to say the least. When UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Rountree would be Pereira's next title challenger back in August the mixed martial arts (MMA) world nearly lost it. Due to Rountree's low division ranking and subpart resume, some went as far as calling the matchup "terrible for the sport."

Fortunately, Rountree will have the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong when he meets Pereira inside of the cage at UFC 307. It won't be an easy fight by any stretch of the imagination considering "Poatan" possesses one of the most vicious one-punch weapons in the sport, but Rountree is no slouch. The former Ultimate Fighter standout has won his last five fights — including four knockouts — and offers some of the hardest leg kicks in the division. He should not be counted out.

Ahead of tonight's main event title fight, Rountree sat down with UFC color commentator Daniel Cormier and discussed his underdog status for UFC 307. Check it out below:

"Guys that look at this and think that it's going to be an easy fight for him, it's almost like disrespectful. What do you not see in me? What am I not doing? Is it because you see me in interviews and I'm myself and I'm a nice guy that you think this guy who's stone cold is gonna stone me? No.

"It's gonna be nice to go in there and do this and get some respect on my name for sure"

What do you think, Maniacs? Is Rountree being disrespected heading into UFC 307 or is Pereira just that good?

Let's hear it!

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 307 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ "Prelims" matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPNN/ESPN+at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 307: "Pereira vs. Rountree Jr." news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 307 fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.