At UFC 307, Alex Pereira is set to defend his light-heavyweight crown for the third time against Khalil Rountree Jr. But Joe Rogan, UFC color commentator and host of the JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) isn’t too keen on the matchup. ‘Poatan’ has already defended his belt twice in 2024 at UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill and at UFC 303 against Jiri Prochazka.

Meanwhile, Rountree Jr’s last fight inside the Octagon was against Anthony Smith in late 2023 at UFC Vegas 83. Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘JRE Fight Companion’ for UFC 305, Joe Rogan couldn’t help but voice his concerns about the overlooked contender in this situation, Magomed Ankalaev.

Joe Rogan left questioning Magomed Ankalaev’s ‘snub’ for UFC 307 title fight against Alex Pereira  

The discussion began when former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub, a regular guest on the ‘Fight Companion’ episodes mentioned the hype surrounding Dana White’s announcement for the UFC 307 main event. However, Joe Rogan, while being excited about Khalil Rountree’s return to action, stated “Yeah man, I’m really excited about Khalil Rountree, although the purist in me is like, what about Ankalaev? Ankalaev should be next for the title right?”

Magomed Ankalaev is the no.2 ranked light-heavyweight behind Jiri Prochazka in the rankings currently. But with Prochazka already having lost to Pereira and Ankalaev coming off a devastating knockout victory over Johnny Walker earlier this year, questions have been raised about his ‘snub’ for the title shot.

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As such, Schaub brought up Rountree’s record with a multiple-fight winning streak but acknowledged the dilemma as he stated, “I hear it, Khalil’s won 5 in a row, and at light heavyweight…Ankalaev also had a draw right.. I get it, the purist goes it doesn’t matter if it’s exciting if he’s winning you gotta give him a title shot.”

Rogan didn’t hold back, bringing up how Jamahal Hill had already aired his frustration on social media. Hill’s gripe? Rountree’s failed drug test earlier this year. But Rogan quickly cut through the noise, saying, “…they knew exactly what that was about, it was about something that’s very… it’s DHEA… It doesn’t help your performance at all. It’s just a banned substance. It’s an accidental ingestion, it’s not something you’d get any benefit from.”

As UFC 307 approaches, the debate is sure to intensify, with Jan Blachowicz, another former light heavyweight title holder adding his voice to the criticism surrounding Dana White’s decision to set up the fight between Pereira and Rountree Jr.

Jan Blachowicz slams the UFC for “protection” being given to ‘Poatan’

Jan Blachowicz is all too familiar with what it’s like to face Alex Pereira inside the Octagon. Having lost a split decision to him back at UFC 291 in 2023, he wasted no time voicing his concerns on social media over the UFC 307 matchup announced by Dana White. The Polish UFC star took to X to share that, “With all due respect to Khalil but there are at least two higher ranked contenders who are ready to fight Poatan. He doesn’t need special protection.”

While Pereira has yet to make a response, Rountree Jr. however, didn’t back down at all. In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, he fired back by stating, “If you’re anything but excited about this fight, maybe you have the problem. I don’t think it’s the matchmakers or the company.”

The UFC 307 main event might be locked in, but the questions linger: Is Pereira truly being handed an easy path, or is Rountree Jr. being underestimated by fans and fighters alike? And what of the other contenders, like Magomed Ankalaev, who many believe deserve their shot at the title? Let us know what are your thoughts in the comments below!