UFC 307: Expert tips and best bets for Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.

Alex Pereira will make his third title defense of 2024 by retaining the UFC light heavyweight championship against Khalil Rountree Jr. in the main event at UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday night (10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV). Game sets , with prelims at 8 p.m. on ESPNews/ESPN+ and early prelims at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+).

Pereira, No. 2 in ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings, has won each of his last three title fights by knockout. But that hasn't deterred Rountree, who said he wants to continue fighting the champion. Rountree, No. 7 in ESPN's divisional rankings, enters the bout on a five-fight winning streak, including knockouts of his last two opponents.

In the co-main event, women's bantamweight world champion Raquel Pennington seeks her first defense of the belt against former world champion Julianna Peña. Pennington is on a six-fight win streak since January 2020. Meanwhile, Peña has not competed since losing the title in a rematch against Amanda Nunes in July 2022.

Andreas Hale spoke with retired UFC welterweight and UFC analyst Alan Jouban to get his take on the main event, while women's bantamweight fighter Miesha Tate gave her opinion on the co-main event. ESPN betting expert Ian Parker adds insight and analysis to the card on the main event and other interesting bets he likes.

Editor's Note: Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Light heavyweight: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.