Daniel Cormier thinks Khalil Rountree may pull off a giant upset if UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira doesn’t take him significantly.
Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) is a giant favourite heading into his title protection towards Rountree (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), which headlines Saturday’s UFC 307 occasion at Delta Middle in Salt Lake Metropolis (pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).
With the likes of Magomed Ankalaev on the high of the sunshine heavyweight ladder, many questioned Rountree getting the title shot. Cormier mentioned loopy issues have occurred throughout UFC occasions in Utah and warns Pereira to not underestimate Rountree.
“That’s a giant combat, however to play the satan’s advocate, in Utah, we have now now seen Kamaru Usman dominating Leon Edwards, get knocked out on the very finish and Edwards changing into champ,” Cormier mentioned on his “Funky and the Champ” present with Ben Askren. “We’ve additionally seen Dustin Poirier, who had crushed Justin Gaethje, knocked out, and Justin Gaethje change into the BMF champion. So, if there’s something to be mentioned about Salt Lake Metropolis, upsets occur,
“And it could appear {that a} man who’s ranked No. (8) on the planet taking over the champion is a blueprint for an upset, as a result of in these moments, the champ might overlook him. I don’t know if Pereira will try this, however these are the occasions – they name them lure video games in soccer. This appears like a lure sport for Alex Pereira. And if he ain’t prepared, it looks like Khalil Rountree together with his energy can knock him out.”
In keeping with DraftKings, Pereira is a -500 favourite over Rountree, who’s a +380 underdog. Pereira has defended his gentle heavyweight title twice, scoring knockouts of Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka.
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