Conor McGregor offered his thoughts on the UFC 307 light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr., weighing in both before and after the fight. McGregor, a vocal supporter of Pereira, highlighted Rountree’s dangerous attributes but ultimately leaned toward Pereira to win. Following Pereira’s fourth-round knockout victory, McGregor praised his performance and urged the Brazilian to move up to the heavyweight division, claiming that Pereira had already achieved enough at light heavyweight.
McGregor’s advice wasn’t limited to the fight alone. In a post-fight video, McGregor excitedly encouraged Pereira to challenge heavyweight stars like Jon Jones. This suggestion stems from McGregor’s belief that Pereira’s natural size and power make him a formidable force at heavyweight, where he could avoid the significant weight cut that comes with competing at 205 pounds.
The UFC 307 bout itself was a thrilling showcase of Pereira’s striking power. Rountree started strong, displaying his own technical skills and resilience, but Pereira’s calculated aggression eventually overwhelmed him. After three intense rounds, Pereira found the opening he needed in the fourth round, delivering a knockout blow that ended Rountree’s night. The victory marked Pereira’s third successful light heavyweight title defense, solidifying his reputation as one of the division’s most feared champions.
McGregor’s comments also reflected his admiration for both fighters’ heart and skill, emphasizing that Rountree’s rise in the division was impressive, but Pereira’s combination of technique and brute strength was simply on another level. While McGregor suggested that Pereira should move to heavyweight, Pereira himself remained non-committal about the future, indicating that he might take some time off before deciding his next move.
Fans, too, were divided on McGregor’s heavyweight suggestion. While some believe Pereira would excel with his striking prowess and size, others think he should continue building his legacy at light heavyweight, where he has already become a dominant champion. Still, McGregor’s proposal has sparked conversations about potential dream matchups for Pereira in the heavyweight division, including a potential clash with Jon Jones, one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Overall, McGregor’s reaction to UFC 307 highlighted both his excitement for Pereira’s future and his respect for Rountree’s performance. The Irishman, known for his own exploits across multiple weight divisions, was adamant that Pereira has the tools to succeed at heavyweight, though time will tell if Pereira heeds McGregor’s advice or continues to defend his light heavyweight crown.