Al͏ex P͏e͏rei͏r͏a has become a mega star in just a few fights in the UFC. A͏f͏te͏r hea͏dlining͏ several ͏even͏ts, incl͏udi͏ng͏ UFC͏ ͏300, i͏t wo͏uld no͏t͏ be wrong to͏ say that P͏e͏reira͏ i͏s current͏ly͏ the fa͏ce͏ of the ͏promotio͏n, or atleast the one who saves it. After defending his light-heavyweight title twice this year, ‘Poatan’ is scheduled to defend it for the third time against ‘The War Horse’, Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City Utah. The fight might be a bit random but Chael Sonnen believes that this fight might be Pereira’s first loss at light-heavyweight division.

“First off, let me give you the hot take of the day – Khalil Rountree is going to walk through Pereira,” said Chael Sonnen in one of his videos on his YouTube handle. Why did ‘The American Gangster’ say this? Because he believes that just like Pereira, Rountree also loves to put their opponent to sleep. If you disagree, hold your horses as another UFC veteran has come forward to disregard Sonnen’s theory.

Alex Pereira gets newfound support from UFC veteran amid Chael Sonnen’s criticism

Chael Sonnen in that video explained that Khalil Rountree Jr and Alex Pereira have the same thirst to knock out their opponent, however, what downplays ‘Poatan’ gameplan against Rountree is that ‘The War Horse’ likes it when things go harsh for him, “This is the worst matchup I could think of. This is Smackdown invading RAW and let me explain. When we think of who’s going to fight for the title on pay-per-view, we think of the other guys who have won a whole bunch of fights on pay-per-view. Well, Khalil was from Smackdown, he came from the other show,” said Sonnen.

He further added, “He is a counterfighter, and he loves when you punch or kick at him first… All those scary punches and kicks that Pereira does, that’s where Rountree does his finest work.” This statement kind of shocked the MMA community because of the fact that ‘Poatan’ has fought and defeated absolute strikers such as Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill. Well, UFC veteran Ben Askren has come forward to disregard Sonnen’s theory.

While in conversation with Daniel Cormier on his YouTube handle, Ben Askren stated that he is heavily bullish on Pereira, “I see it as he, um, if there’s a good matchup for Pereira to make a highlight reel, it’s him. I don’t think he’s [Khalil Rountree] gonna shoot, and I think Pereira is going to be better than him. He’s probably going to put him down. That would be my best guess as to what happens.”

Alex Pereira ha͏s͏ kn͏ocked out͏ most of his o͏ppone͏nts in his͏ car͏eer͏ a͏nd is cu͏rre͏ntly on͏ a ͏knockout str͏eak͏, having defeate͏d Jiri Prochazka and Jamah͏al ͏Hill. Well, the community might not be expecting more from ‘The War Horse’ but according to him, Pereira will be ousted by him.

Khaili Rountree vows to not use grappling against Pereira

Alex Pereira is probably one of the most dangerous kickboxers to have ever come into the MMA field. His last fight against Jiri Prochazka ended in his victory as he knocked out the ‘Samurai’ in the second round by way of a head kick. It must be noted that Pereira has not yet fought any true grappling specialist and this might prove a bit harsh against him. Interestingly, grappling might be the easiest route for Rountre to get the light-heavyweight belt but according to Rountree, he would most likely fight standing.

“In my career, I’ve never shot one takedown, that’s not in my plans. I’m here to put on an amazing fight for the fans. This one, regardless of what anybody says, this is a fight for the fans… All I can say is like expect a banger, man,” said Rountree in a conversation with Schomo.

Their showdown is going to happen on October 5th. Will we witness a new champion or will there be another successful defense from Alex Pereira? State your thoughts in the comments below