UFC 307 LIVE: Fight updates and undercard results as Alex Pereira battles Khalil Rountree Jr

Here’s a rundown of all the action from tonight’s early prelims in Salt Lake City.

To start the night off, home crowd favourite Court McGee pulled off an impressive submssion victory over Tim Means, getting the RNC in early and forcing a tap.

Two-time strawweight champion Carla Esparza was then just edged out of a retirement victory on her way out of MMA, losing on the scorecards to Tecia Pennington – wife of women’s bantamweight champion Raquel, who is of course in co-main event action later tonight.

And in the featured early prelim, it was another quick submission as Ryan Spann locked in the guillotine after landing a massive right hand on Ovince Saint Preux.

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)

Who will come out on top tonight?

Pereira to win – 1/5; Rountree to win – 7/2

Pennington to won – 4/7; Pena to win – 7/5

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The UFC is back in Salt Lake City tonight, a location that has become a bit of a regular on the PPV calendar. It’s where Leon Edwards headkicked Kamaru Usman into oblivion to win the welterweight title back in 2022, lest we forget.

However, fightcards in Utah pose a challenge unlike any other in the US: altitude.

Jose Aldo, who is in action tonight against Mario Bautista, learnt first hand how impactful altitude can be when he fought cardio king Merab Dvalishvili on that same card as Edwards vs Usman 2 – as did many fighters, especially heavyweights, who just found themselves gassing in the first few minutes.

If fighters haven’t factored in altitude properly and acclimatised to the conditions early prior to the event, then UFC 307 could throw up some very surprising results.

Do not write off an upset…

Brazil’s Alex Pereira returns to the octagon for the third time in 2024 having enjoyed a swift rise to the top of the UFC.

He’s won titles at middleweight and light-heavyweight since joining the promotion in November 2021 and is now looking to make history as he defends his belt for a third time.

Ronda Rousey holds the current UFC record for the shortest period between three consecutive title defences, achieving that feat in 189 days, while Pereira – if successful – will have done it just 175 days.

“I’m one of the best, the numbers don’t lie,” he said, “Fans want to see fights and I deliver fights.”

Khalil Rountree has not competed since December 2023 and was removed from the UFC 303 card after being suspended for two months following a positive test for anabolic steroid DHEA in a urine sample.

Due to his co-operation, Rountree, who denied intentionally doping, was given a retrospective ban that expired on 18 September and was fined £119.14.

“Look at the guy’s record, look at what he’s done. It would be extra sweet [to win], it would be major,” Rountree said when speaking about facing Alex Pereira.

“The main reason I’ve always wanted this fight is for the fans – you’ve got two of the best strikers in the world going at it. When I step in there you get the best version of me.”

That’s all she wrote for Carla Esparza as she bows out on a career in mixed martial arts – and the Cookie Monster has done herself proud in her last ever fight.

In a nice full-circle rematch of their TUF 20 bout, Esparza took Tecia Pennington – wife of women’s bantamweight champion Raquel – to the wire in the second early prelim of the night, but was just edged out on the scorecards after a closely-fought 15 minutes.

As a two-time champion, Esparza hangs up her gloves as a historic piece of the strawweight puzzle.

“It’s been an amazing journey these last 15 years I’ve fought the best of the best, and it’s not always easy,” Esparza said in her post-fight interview.

“There’s ups and downs in the sport, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is the greatest sport in the world.

“And thank you to all the UFC fans, my friends, my family, the awesome UFC staff, just my coach Colin Oyama who’s been with me from day one, and my manager, Brian. Just everybody, I’m so, man, I just, I love this sport. Thank you guys so much.”

Kayla Harrison believes she is the “uncrowned queen” in the UFC as she prepares for her fight against Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City this weekend.

The winner will be in line for a shot at the bantamweight title next time out as bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington and challenger Julianna Pena also fight on tonight’s card.

“I’m the uncrowned queen,” Harrison said. “First, Saturday night I smash Ketlen and then I come for my title, so enjoy it while you can ladies.”

“He’s woeful. I want to fight him,” McGregor said of the 36-year-old.

“OK, Chandler is next. Belal-McGregor, UFC welterweight world title fight on the line. I have multiple knockouts at 170. I’m a force to be reckoned with at 170. I do damage at 170,” he added.

“Check the stats. One hundred percent accuracy, this man hasn’t even got a knockdown in UFC history. Not one knockdown! It’s embarrassing, to be honest. Kind of slow-rolling a person. They’re all bums.”

The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

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