In the main event of UFC 307 on Saturday, Alex Pereira brutally knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr to continue his hot streak in the Octagon.
Rountree provided the biggest challenge yet faced by Pereira as light heavyweight champion - but as the bout entered the championship rounds, an exhausted and bloodied Rountree could only take so much punishment, succumbing to defeat towards the end of the fourth.
In the co-main event, Julianna Pena reclaimed her throne at women’s bantamweight, defeating Raquel Pennington by split decision.
In her post-fight interview, Pena called on Amanda Nunes to come out of retirement to set up a trilogy bout, snubbing any insinuation that Kayla Harrison - who also emerged victorious on Saturday - was next in line for the belt.
Other star fighters in action included Jose Aldo against Mario Bautista, while fan favourite Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson also took to the cage in a star-studded featured prelim against Joaquin Buckley.
Relive all the action and all the undercard results from UFC 307 below:
UFC 307 LIVE: Is Julianna Pena ducking Kayla Harrison?
In her post-fight interview, new women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena snubbed any insinuation that Kayla Harrison is next in line for a title shot - instead calling on Amanda Nunes to come out of retirement to set up a trilogy bout.
Kayla, who convincingly beat number two ranked Ketlen Vieira earlier in the night, was far from impressed.
UFC 307 LIVE: Full results
Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via fourth round TKO for the light heavyweight title (body strikes and uppercut, 4:32)
Julianna Pena def. Raquel Pennington via split decision for the women’s bantamweight title (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)
Mario Bautista def. Jose Aldo via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland via first round TKO (rib injury, 5:00)
Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson via third round knockout (overhand right, 2:17)
Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via split decision (29-28, 29-29, 27-30)
Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Cesar Almeida def. Ihor Potieria via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux via first round submission (guillotine, 1:35)
Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Court McGee def. Tim Means via first round submission (rear naked choke, 3:19)
UFC 307 LIVE: What next for Poatan?
Conor McGregor thinks he has the answer.
UFC 307 LIVE: Alex Pereira ‘feels great’ at light heavyweight
Alex Pereira has played down talk of an immediate move to middleweight or heavyweight after racking up his third successful title defence at 205.
“We saw that Dricus is going to be fighting Sean Strickland. He’s a training partner of mine so I don’t want to get in his way,” he said.
“I could go up to heavyweight but this division is great, I feel great with this weight cut and this is where I’m at.”
UFC 307 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree
Round four
Rountree is getting more and more beat up as this fight goes on. Suddenly, the tank is running empty.
Pereira starts the round by landing a stiff jab on his right eye, which becomes busted open. The Brazilian drives forward with a vicious combination.
Poatan smells blood and is LAYING in warheads on the skull of Rountree. The challenger is exhausted and is taking repeated heavy, brutal shots
Rountree is drenched in his own crimson and up against the fence, he takes two seismic body shots before an uppercut finally crumples him to the mat.
Warrior’s spirit from ‘The War Horse’, but he could only take so much punishment. Pereira was taking zero prisoners, devastating stuff. AND STILL!
Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree via fourth round TKO (body strikes and uppercut, 4:32)
UFC 307 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree
Round three
Big body shots for Rountree to start to the round, Pereira responds with a head kick.
Another overhand counter gets through for Rountree, who is marshalling Poatan in the first half of the third.
But as the round enters the final minute, Pereira begins to close the gap and punishing Rountree with jabs. He follows up with a jumping knee before initiating a clinch and laying in more knees from close range as the buzzer goes.
We’re getting championship rounds.
UFC 307 LIVE: Alex Pereira vs Khalil Rountree
Round two
Beautiful right hand counter from Poatan who is beginning to land more and more. Leg kicks also increasingly becoming a factor, and you can see the damage on Khalil’s calf.
Overhand right gets through for Rountree on the back of the ear. Khalil’s counters for much of this fight have been that little bit short - but as Pereira goes for an overzealous high kick, Rountree ducks it lands a counter shot flush on the nose to drop the champion!
Poatan gets up very quickly and appears unfazed - but he remains under the cosh and gets hit with a heavy head kick as the round comes to a close.
That could very well be 2-0 Rountree after two rounds.
