Alex Pereira Saves Lackluster UFC 307 Card And is Unquestioned ...

In the end, the fans who bought tickets for UFC 307 in Salt Lake City got their money's worth.

That's largely due to the latest impressive performance from light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who is now the obvious frontrunner for the year's Fighter of the Year honors. Three fights in 2024, three knockouts and undoubtedly the most exciting fighter UFC had to offer this year.

Pereira had some troubles with Khalil Roundtree, but in the end, dissected his opponent with brutal efficiency in the fourth round. A clearly battered and exhausted challenger finally succumbed to Pereira's onslaught and was knocked out with a devastating body shot.

There was some backlash when the fight was announced, as many felt the title shot should have gone to Russia's Magomed Ankalaev, but it's doubtful anyone will be complaining about the matchup now that the event is over.

Pereira and Rountree's thrilling title fight was just what the crowd in Salt Lake City needed, too.

By the time the main event rolled around, the fans in the building had suffered through more than a few lackluster fights and dubious judges' decisions. They wanted some serious action and along came Pereira to save the day. It's Pereira's M.O. to deliver exciting finishes and once again, "Poatan" delivered.

Pretty much everybody expected Pereira and Rountree's title fight to unfold on the feet. Pereira is a former two-division Glory kickboxing champ, and Rountree has spent years honing his Muay Thai in Thailand. There was some pre-fight debate as to which fighter was more likely to shoot for a takedown, but neither did.

Contrary to the oddsmakers' expectations, Rountree came out strong.

The American, who is probably one of the biggest punchers in MMA right now, arguably won the first round and dropped Pereira in the second — albeit briefly.

For a few minutes, it seemed like the matchup that so many labeled a freebie for Pereira would be his undoing. However, the champ quickly turned the tide in round three, punishing a fatiguing Rountree with leg kicks in punches.

Pereira's assault only intensified in the fourth round and made sure Rountree didn't make it to the fifth. The champ finished things off with a volley of uppercuts in the final 30 seconds of the round.

"I can say that this was one of the toughest fights. I expected that," Pereira told commentator Joe Rogan after his victory was announced. "[Rountree] trained at the best spots in Thailand and he showed tonight why he has so much quality."

It was an incredible performance from Pereira, one that both reminded fight fans just how dangerous he is on the feet and reaffirmed that he's fully capable of bouncing back from early adversity.

Rountree also deserves some props. Not only did he challenge one of MMA's pound-for-pound stars in the early going, but he showed remarkable toughness when things stopped going his way, and was wearing a mask of blood by the time the fight was over.

"My thought coming into this fight was just to be grateful," Rountree told Rogan shortly before he pulled an oozing strand of bloody snot from his busted nose. "I was just really excited to come in here and just embraced the moment."

This is just what the light heavyweight champion does.

He headlined UFC 295 on short notice, knocking out Jiri Prochazka to win the vacant belt. He headlined UFC 300 on short notice, knocking out Jamahal Hill to defend the belt. He headlined UFC 303 on short notice, knocking Prochazka again out for another title defense. On Saturday he headlined yet another card and tallied yet another stoppage at Rountree's expense. And that's all since last November.

There are several fighters who have had particularly impressive years in 2024. Middleweight champ Dricus Du Plessis is a great example. Welterweight champ Belal Muhammad is another.

Yet when it comes time to decide the one true Fighter of the Year for 2024, there's really no debate. It's Pereira — the UFC's scariest knockout threat and most reliable source of entertainment. At 37, and after a long and punishing kickboxing career, he's had one of the best years in MMA history.

It doesn't seem like he'll be slowing down, either.

When asked who he'd like to fight next, the champ expressed his readiness to continue defending his belt as needed.

"I can move up to heavyweight, but this division is great," he said, before leaving the Octagon with the belt still firmly in his grasp.