Daniel Cormier: UFC 307 fight against Khalil Rountree 'feels like a trap match' for Alex Pereira

Daniel Cormier believes Khalil Rountree could spring a major upset if UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira doesn't take him seriously.

Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) is a heavy favorite heading into his title defense against Rountree (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) on Saturday at the UFC 307 event at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City (for a fee) at the top is -per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+).

With players like Magomed Ankalaev at the top of the light heavyweight rankings, many doubted Rountree would get a title shot. Cormier said crazy things have happened at UFC events in Utah and warned Pereira not to underestimate Rountree.

“This is a big fight, but to play devil's advocate, now in Utah we've seen Kamaru Usman dominate Leon Edwards, get knocked out at the very end, and Edwards become champion,” Cormier said on his “Funky and the Champ.” show with Ben Askren. “We also saw Dustin Poirier, who beat Justin Gaethje, get eliminated and Justin Gaethje become BMF champion. So when there’s something to say about Salt Lake City, surprises happen.”

“And it seems that a man ranked No. 8 in the world facing the champion is a blueprint for an upset, because in moments like that the champion could overlook him. I don't know if Pereira will do that, but these are the times – in football they call them trap games. And if he's not ready, Khalil Rountree can take him out with his power.

According to DraftKings, Pereira is a -500 favorite over Rountree, who is a +380 underdog. Pereira has defended his light heavyweight title twice, knocking out Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka.

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For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 307 event hub.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier: UFC 307 fight against Khalil Rountree “feels like a trap match for Alex Pereira”