MMA Fighting - UFC 307 Timeline: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree

Episode Date: October 1, 2024

Before Alex Pereira and Khalil Roundtree battle at UFC 307, check out the roads each fighter took to the UFC light heavyweight championship headliner. Subscribe to MMA Fighting Check out our full video catalog Like MMA Fighting on Facebook Follow on Twitter Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black Friday is here at IKEA, and the clock is ticking on savings you won't want to miss. Join IKEA family for free today and unlock deals on everything from holiday must-haves to cozy at-home essentials, all the little and big things you need to make this season shine. But don't wait. Like leftovers at midnight, our Black Friday offers won't last. Shop now at IKEA.ca.ca.com slash Black Friday. IKEA, bring home to life. Okay, only 10 more presents to write. You're almost at the finish line.

But first, there, the last one. Enjoy a Coca-Cola for a pause that refreshes. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. MMA Fighting presents Timeline. Alex Pereira versus Colleal Roundtree. July 8, 2016, the Ultimate Fighter 23 finale, Las Vegas, Nevada. After two knock-up victories and one submission loss in exhibition bouts on the reality show The Ultimate Fighter. The 4-0 Roundtree makes his official

UFC debut against hard-nosed wrestler Andrew Sanchez. Roundtree would lose by decision. The following November, Roundtree would go on to lose his second fight in the UFC, this time to Tyson Pedro in Australia by Rear Naked Choke. February 4, 2017, UFC Fight Night, Bermudez versus Korean zombie, Houston, Texas. Now 0 and 2 in the UFC, Roundtree is booked with Daniel Jolly in the curtain jerker. In a must-win situation, Roundtree wins by knockout less than a minute into the opening round. Well, here's the thing. After the fight in Australia, you know, like, I took it okay. I wasn't upset or anything, but just going back and kind of reevaluating my training and reevaluating my mindset, I thought, you know, I could have beat that guy.

I know I had everything it takes to beat that guy, and I just didn't have my head screwed in the right direction. You know, so, you know, when I landed, as soon as I landed, you know, I got a call that the UFC would offer me another fight, and I thought, what a perfect opportunity to just get straight and get focused. And so now, you know, I went to work, man. Every day was work. That's why I started looking at it.

Like, I have this awesome opportunity. I have this awesome platform with a ton of great people, and I don't want this to go away yet. So I realized that I just had to go to work, man, and had to put in, you know, a lot of effort. And that's been the focus. You know, this is work for me now. And I'll celebrate when I get a belt. I have a strong vision, you know.

I have a strong vision for more than just being a champion, but for the world. And so I realized that in order for me to get my vision across to the world, I've got to make something on myself first, you know. I'm in the, you know, I'm in this to make my name known. and then to spread, you know, spread my vision and in my hand. But at first, I got to show up, I got to fight. I got to get people to know who I am. Roundtree would go on to defeat Paul Craig by first round knockout in Scotland the following July, moving his UFC record to an even two and two.

December 30th, 2017, UFC 219, Cyborg v. Holm, Las Vegas, Nevada. Roundtree is set to face Polish brawler, Mikhail Olegzecichek. Here comes Khalil Roundtree, the last fighter, set to make weight. It's 9.58 a.m. Pacific, so we could wrap this up before 10 a.m. It was pretty darn quick. 205. And the war horse hits his mark. That's 205 for Khalil Roundtree.

Has won his last two fights in a row. Looking to make it three in a row on Saturday. on Saturday at UFC 219. Roundtree would initially lose by decision, but it would be overturned to a no contest when Oleg Zaycheck was issued a one-year suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. July 7, 2018, UFC-226,

Miochich versus Cormier, Las Vegas, Nevada. For the first time, the 28-year-old roundtree is booked on the main card of a pay-per-view. This time, against 34-year-old kickbacker. boxing legend, Gokan Saki. In a star-making performance, Roundtree knocks out the glory kickboxing veteran in the first round. The knockout earns Roundtree his first UFC performance bonus.

I turned it around this time, because before I would want to do a lot of things for the fans. This time, I just like, I saw the fans, but it wasn't something that I was like, oh, I'm going to put on a performance. Like, I needed this for myself. So what it felt like was, It was just like I just kind of like knocked the big demon off my shoulder or something.

You know, I was just like, boop. Like, okay, like, what's next? Like, it wasn't something that was really like uplifting or it's hard to really explain. But it's just like, I don't know if you've, I've dealt with a lot. And so for it to finally be over, I'm not like, hooray, but I'm like, now I can continue to like I got a win, got some extra money, you can take care of my family the way. that I want to and move forward and get better and just progress in life. So it was a different feeling that previous knockouts.

Yeah, it wasn't a hurrah. It wasn't a, you know, like, it was definitely different. Like, I just feel myself, I feel myself growing and moving forward. Unfortunately, the momentum would end quickly. Rising prospect Johnny Walker would knockout roundtree by vicious elbow in his next fight in Argentina. April 13th, 2019, UFC 236, Holloway v. Porriere 2, Atlanta, Georgia. Despite the loss, the UFC Books Roundtree on the pay-per-view portion of the now-legendary card.

Roundtree defeats Eric Anders by unanimous decision in a lopsided and eye-opening performance. I realize that, like, fighting in the UFC, it's really hard to, to really hard. really embrace it and grow without having to win, win, win, win. You have to win in order to stay here. And that's a lot of pressure for someone who really loves fighting and wants to be the best and wants to be my best. But then I have this hanging over my head where it's like, but if you lose, like you may not be able to have that shot again.

So like that pressure and dealing with like, I could lose my job. I could lose all of these opportunities just based off of a mistake or maybe not feeling it. that morning or something. Like, there's so many things that play into what we go through emotionally or what I go through. I'm an emotional guy.

So this week and today, I was just like, you know what? Like, I just gotta do whatever I want to do and not think about if I'm gonna get cut or win or lose or like I'm gonna, I'm going to display the best version of myself. And just, I had a vision of what it would be like to win. And I went and I just followed that, you know, I followed exactly what I wanted to see after. I visualized getting my hand raised.

I visualized slapping hands with the crowd right after. I visualized going to the doctor in the back and seeing my check with win and, you know, with show and win money signing it. I visualized my brother, my coaches, everybody being excited. And that was the only thing that I visualized this entire, like maybe the past week and a half.

And that was just kind of the goal for me. Like just as long as those things happened, That's the best. However, Roundtree would go on to lose his next two matchups, a knockout loss to Iwan Kuchelaba in Denmark, and a decision loss to Marchine Practeo on the UFC 257, Porreier v. McGregor 2 card. This would be Roundtree's second losing streak in the UFC.

September 4th, 2021. UFC Vegas 36 Brunson versus Till, Las Vegas, Nevada. Now riding a two-fight skid, Roundtree faces former Cage Warriors champion Modestis Bukoskis at the UFC Apex. In a return to form, Roundtree wins by dynamic violence, with a sidekick to the knee in round two. November 6, 2021, UFC 268, Usman v. Covington 2, New York, New York. The former glory kickboxing champion makes his UFC debut at Madison Square Garden, on the prelims against the 13 and 4 Andreas Mikhailitis. Pereira wins by flying knee K.O. 18 seconds into round two

and improves his MMA record to 3 and 1. Pereira also takes home his first $50,000 performance of the night bonus. The debut of Alex Pereira, obviously a lot of people saying he might have the path to Adasania after their kickboxing background, what are just your general thoughts? He looked damn good tonight,

You know, he did a great job defending the takedown and then, you know, got the guy where he needed him. And incredible, flying knee. March 12, 2022, UFC Vegas 50, Santos versus Ancolaev, Las Vegas, Nevada. Pereira is booked in the apex for the first time opposite the 22 and 7 Bruno Silva. The minus 200 favorite Pereira wins by unanimous decision. that. But I was actually really impressed with Alex for her tonight. He could have gone out there delivered a two minute knockout,

but the fact that he went three rounds, the fact that he overcame some adversity, he had to do some different things, he had a battle, he had to do some take down defense. But was it the prettiest fight of all time? No. But did he go out there and do the damn thing against a tough season guy? Yeah, I wasn't

shabby at all. Jed, would you throw him into a matchup with the top 10 guy right now? Would you throw him there were Sean Strickland. I would throw him in there with Derek Brunson tomorrow. His power does really impress the hell out of me because he has to have like super dense bones or something. He barely, he barely like swings and it's thudding power. It's not like, oh, precisely clear. It's just like the whole body is shifting of Bruno Silva. It was a thick dude. And so like it is, that was the thing that was the most impressive to me. It's just like how much he could

move Silva's body by what appeared to just be lightly tapping him. Just two fights after that, Kaleo Roundtree faces former glory kickboxer Carl Roberson. Roundtree wins by hooks and body kicks early into round two. A highly violent finish earns him a performance bonus. For the next Khalil that's maybe sitting on his couch right now a little bit overweight, what's your message to him? Hmm. It might sound a bit cliche.

or we've heard this before, but like your life matters. Your life matters. You can be special. You can be strong. You can be seen. You can be heard. Life is beautiful. If you make it that way,

it doesn't have to be how everybody else makes it seem. Stick around. Stick around another day. I would have a lot of things like that to say, man. Thank you. Absolutely. I felt like any time I would fight and win, then that's when people want to speak to me.

And that's when people want to ask me questions. And still, like, you know, MMA media would want to ask me questions, but still it was questions along the line. Who do you want to fight next or this? And I'm like, all of that stuff, is cool, but like for me personally and how I even got into MMA, it's so far off from, you know, so far off from like my real mission, you know, and a lot of the conversations are about like, oh, you know, who do you want to fight next or champion or do you see yourself at top 10 and who's

the best striker and this and that? And to me, a lot of that stuff really doesn't matter. It's not like in my brain on a day-to-day basis. So I think just with time and life and maturity, I have finally come to a point where I realize like, hey, I have to take control over the things that I want to speak about and the things that I want to do. Whether I'm winning or losing, whether I'm a champion or not, I just want to take the opportunity to be able to, you know, expand my outreach as much as I can before it's all over, you know, before all the fighting stuff is over. About 19 is when just everything kind of hit me.

People were going to college, some people were getting jobs, and, you know, I was living in a one-bedroom apartment with my mom, my brother, my niece, my sister, struggling to make $750 rent meat every month. And I had no idea of what I wanted to be in life or what I wanted to do or what I could even do because at the time, 19 years old, 305 pounds, two packs of cigarettes a day, soda only, you know, if someone had pills and well, yeah, I'll take some, not even knowing what they are, you know, just really just lost. And with no hope or no, you know, I never didn't even care. I don't care if I wake up today.

You know, I'm going to drink myself and hope that I don't wake up tomorrow. You know, like those type of thoughts until, you know, my brother was watching MMA. I saw a little bit about what that was and kind of attached to this aggression and kind of anger that it seemed like these guys had, especially after seeing Rampage ripped down a door on the ultimate fighter. I'm like, yeah, that's what I want to do. You know, I was like, yeah, I want to do that.

You mean if I do train M.M.A. I can just break a door down with my bare hands, absolutely. So it was just, it was a mixture of like, you know, being exposed to MMA and then just feeling like I just wanted to just like explode or give up. And yeah, that was at 19. And that's when that's when I just, I'm going to start.

You know what's better than the one big thing? Two big things. Exactly. The new iPhone 17 Pro on TELUS's five-year rate plan price lock. Yep, it's the most powerful iPhone ever, plus more peace of mind with your bill over five years. This is big. Get the new iPhone 17 Pro at tellus.com

slash iPhone 17 Pro on select plans. Conditions and exclusions apply. July 2nd, 2020. UFC 276, Adasanya versus Cannoneer, Las Vegas, Nevada. Pereira makes his pay-per-view debut against top-ranked middleweight Sean Strickland on the UFC's annual International Fight Week card. Well, I'm focused on my lute with Shane Strickland. Everyone knows. In my interviews, I've always always always prioritizing this.

Well, I'm focused on my fight Saturday. I still got the fight to do with Strickland. I'm focused 100% on that fight. Well, I'm rooting for Israel. Who's the best striker on stage? I mean, I would say me, but I mean, that man was the one that slept that man, so, you know, next to me, next to me, probably Alex.

I mean, what was it, like, 2-0 against Izzy? What was it, 2-0? I'll break your fucking face. I'll break my nail in your face. Get this man, Alex, get this. Hey, man, you better focus on your guy if he's gonna fuck you up too. Yeah, the way he fucking slept your ass. And guess what?

Like I said, focus on this guy. He's a tough opponent, and you focus on this guy. as well. They've been asked more about me this whole fucking fight camp than each other. So you need to focus on the work you're doing because trust me he will sleep you. Hey Izzy, why don't you tell me what not to do? Do you have a preference who wins between Strickland and Padena? No, they're both big money fights. This guy talks a lot and this guy's already beat me twice in kickboxing. And funny thing is I asked you guys the press at the press conference who's actually watched the fight.

Five people in a room foot of 25 put their hands up and two were my managers. So only three reporters have watched the fight. Trust me, he knows I put him on skates last time. And this time when I put you on skates, I'm going to leave you frozen like Elsa. In an absolute star-making performance, Pereira easily disposes of Strickland by knockout with his signature left hook halfway into the opening round. The knockout of the year contender would also earn Pereira his second $50,000 bonus. I've seen many people in the interview, but the people in the middle, right?

other players, I don't know why, maybe it's not happened in the same way with them. And... Absolutely, a lot of people talk, especially fighters, you know? They think they have a chance over me, but, you know, like me, so feel good to prove that, and, you know, because by the end of the day is what the people want, and the people want to see knockouts, people want to see the style that I fight.

People want to see whoever is in front of me getting knocked out. That's what I bring for them. November 12th, 2020, 2020, UFC.88-Ada-Vasagna versus Pereira, New York, New York. After achieving three straight victories and two performance bonuses, Pereira is set to face longtime rival and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesania. This will be the third time they meet, the first two, coming in the kickboxing world. Hey, first of all, good evening to everybody here.

I know it's a great event here. You know, as I said, it's talking a lot. I train a lot for this to be in this moment. I understand this talking about me. You know, it's going to be difficult to accept to knock out. Can you really be sure going on Saturday night that there's nothing in this for you that's personal? You know what? We're talking about MMA.

You know, we all know what happened in the last two fights. I forgot about him. I hope you forgot it as well. I'm going to fight you like it was the first time I was fighting in my life. You know, there's a lot of people that think maybe that they thought I wasn't deserving, including a design in his team. Originally, he said, I saw when I came into the UFC that he wanted to fight me. As soon as I started to fight people, they changed the narrative. They spun things around that I said, oh, maybe they started to run around.

They said, maybe I don't want to face him again. I think I kind of screwed his mind a little bit, and he's a little bit unbalanced psychologically on this one. You're going to be alone. I don't speak Portuguese. You're going to be alone inside that Attega without a team. Oh, yes, you and me, don't worry, but they're going to be with me. They're going to be with me in spirit. Trust me.

They can't save you either. They can't save you. All this shit, don't worry. Hey, he's got bragging rights. Talk all the shit you want. Talk all the shit you want. Because trust me, they can't save you either when you're locked in there with me. Hey, Adesania, let me just to do you make a question.

You want to be here really? I can understand what this guy is. Same, man. You really want to be here? I am here. I am here. After four rounds of competitive action, Perera stuns the Madison Square Garden crowd, as he gets a standing TKO two minutes into the final round and becomes the UFC middleweight champion.

After only four fights in the promotion and just eight MMA fights overall. You know, kind of how you felt things were going over the course of the fight because you were down on the cards going into that last round. Well, I know that it was a lot of a lot of the champion, the ex-campion. It's a guy that was batting in all the world and I knew what I had in the front, and it was what I imagined, what I imagined, a lot of a

of a poxed, I had my strategy that I was trying to apply. Welcome to this fight. I knew it was going to be a very hard fight. You know, tried everything, tried to pace myself, but going to the last round. my corners and Glover Caputri with me.

Look at my eyes and say, I look at him action and I say, do I have to knock him out? And Glover said, you do have to knock him out. And then I say, okay, let's do it. Raw. April 8, 2023, UFC 287, Herrera versus Adasagna 2, Miami, Florida.

The rematch is set. Herrera puts his newly won middleweight title on the line against the man he took it from, just a few months before at Madison Square Garden in Israel Adasanya. For Saturday night, time for talking is done. I'm going to show him my fighting spirit. You all know I have that shit. On Saturday, what is most important to you?

Is it about regaining the UFC title and being world champion again? Or should it simply be... Fuck the belt. I'm coming for his head. This fight, like I've said, this is my eight-mile moment. This is it. One more shot at this. I put everything on my back. I've done everything in my power to make sure I do.

The worst thing to this man this weekend. I'm done with this talking shit. You guys want to hear me talk or you want to hear me fight? He did this in the last three ludas. He said the same thing. He did the past three fights. He said the same things and resolved that. It doesn't matter. It don't even understand what I said.

Not understand what you said. What's going to happen this weekend is we're going to fight and see who the best man is at the end. He makes me laugh. He makes me laugh. In dramatic, in violent fashion, the last style bender gets his. revenge and knocks out Pereira four minutes into round two. It would go down as one of the most iconic knockouts and celebrations in UFC history. It would also be the last time Pereira would compete at middleweight. July 29th, 2023, UFC 291, Fourier versus Gaichi 2, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alex Pereira officially makes the move to 205 pounds as he makes his light heavyweight debut against top-ranked fighter and former champion Jan Bolhovic. Obviously, Jamal Hill has vacated the bell, so I'm curious, do you view this as the number one contender fight for a possible fight for a vacant title? With a certain, yeah, I'm doing this fight, my focus is this a lot, but, with this is a lot. But, with my focus is, I mean, everything's pretty much,

the riding is all the wall. Obviously, my focus is on this fight, but winning this fight, let's go for the championship. Perera wins a hard-fought, competitive split decision. I was incredibly impressed by that. And I'm just generally incredibly impressed by Alex Pereira and sort of what he's been able to do at this point in his career. Like, this man, I know you said it on the on the post show or on the presser show, Jed, because I tweeted it.

But like Alex Pereira is speed running a potential Hall of Fame UFC career in record time in a way that I've really never seen anyone ever do it. And it's absolutely absurd when you think about it because less than two years ago, this man, was fighting the immortal Andreas Mikhailitis as just like this weird novelty. We're like, hey, maybe this will just be like a fun thing we can talk about until he inevitably loses and we don't get the Izzy fight. And now, like less than two years later, I think it's like 20 months. UFC belt hanging above his mantlepiece, can call himself the only middleweight to beat Izzy in MMA in the UFC.

One of only two light heavyweights now to beat, yeah, nice. to beat Yombe Kovitz in this division's post-Jones era. And he's one win away from becoming the eighth two-division champion in UFC history. Like that's a hell of a resume for anyone, much less someone who has less than 10 MMA fights on their resume. Like it's nonsensical. It's ridiculous. But tonight was impressive, man.

Like Yombovitz is no one's fool. Alex Pereira went in there. I thought he showed really improved takedown defense. He stopped five of those eight takedowns. Pretty decent submission. defense in that first round, he was thrust into a really tough spot. Opsboro versus Year is the fight this division deserves, right? Like, that's the title fight.

That is a fight of the year contender on paper, if I have ever seen one. Those two Tasmanian devils are just carry like the best version of unpredictability and the death touch and all of it. Like that, that is a matchup that screams chaos. Ontario, the weight is over. The gold standard of online casinos has arrived. Golden Nugget Online Casino is live. Vegas-style excitement and a world-class gaming experience right to your fingertips.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, signing up is fast and simple. And in just a few clicks, you can have access to our exclusive library of the best slots and top-tier table games. Make the most of your downtime with unbeatable promotions and jackpots that can turn any mundane moment into a golden opportunity at Golden Nugget Online Casino. Take a spin on the slots, challenge yourself at the tables, or join a live dealer game to feel the thrill of real-time action, all from the comfort of your own devices. Why settle for less when you can go for the gold at Golden Nugget Online Casino. Gambling problem call connects Ontario 1866533-1-260. 19 and over,

physically present in Ontario. Eligibility restrictions apply. See Golden Nuggettcasino.com for details. Please play responsibly. November 11, 2023, UFC 295, Prahashka versus Pereira, New York, New York, New York. Poetan returns to Madison Square Garden as the main event as he battles former champion Yuri Prahashka for the vacant light heavyweight title. Alex, with this fight, with a win now in the title, you would be part of a select group of athletes that have been champions into weight divisions, especially the first Brazilian since Amanda Nunes, a record also because of seven fights. would you look at other records? Is it important for you? Is that record chasing in any capacity? What other records are you chasing?

Well, when I came in the organization, the my intuito was to me to become a champion, to do the duties that I could do to get to be. When I came into the UFC, my goal was to be a champion. That's what I wanted to be, and I was able to accomplish that. And then it just kind of happened.

Actually, if you think about it, I mentioned the middleweight got hard for me. I've spoken about the, you all know about the weight and how it's so much better right now. And it happened now and having an opportunity to be a champion in another division. I don't know after that. We'll see what happens.

Pereira wins by TKO four minutes into round two. And now becomes a two-weight world champion in the UFC. Well, it's significant for me, this is the result of a job well-feited in these long, longs years, and this conquest,

now, it's always difficult, but it's very important. It's where I can't show a little

for the people that, at least I don't think it. It means a lot to me to be able to conquer this after so many years of training

and dedication and also is very important for me to be able to show to everybody, you know what I mean, everybody know where I came from my humble beginnings. So to get here

and achieve this is a big which you've been for me. December 9th, 2023, UFC Vegas 83, Song versus Gutierrez, Las Vegas, Nevada. After two more victories in the UFC, a split decision over glory veteran Dustin Jacoby and a knockoff victory over Chris Dawkes, Roundtree is matched up with top 10 ranked and former title challenger Anthony Smith in his fifth straight Apex undercard bout. What does the win over Anthony Smith do for your career. The fact that this fight is co-main event is a great, you know, warm up to a main event and being

able to, I guess, even be worthy of having a main event. So, yeah, man. Roundtree dominates the aging vet and knocks him out early in round three, earning his fourth performance bonus. Usually the main event is the story. I think the story is Khalil Roundtree here in New York, Rick. performance against Anthony Smith. And look, what a crazy knocko, man. Lends that short little counter uppercut and then lands that left hand. And Smith was just doing the stanky leg and he goes

down and Cleal Roundtree just being the martial artist, the human being that he is, just stood over Anthony, let Mark Smith come in and stop it, gets the win. And then he gets the microphone and he calls on Alex Pereer in the most Khalil Roundtree way possible. And I have to say, this was good stuff. This is really good stuff. He did the thing, New York, Rick. How do you grade Khalil Roundtree's performance in the fight and then on the microphone after the fight? Yeah, he aced it. This is an A plus.

Would I be surprised if they even threw him into a title shot now? I really wouldn't. I mean, I think there's plenty of opportunities where we've seen Next Man Up and I think Khalil Roundtree would be ready for that opportunity, as he said. So I would be not shocked if it was next. I don't expect it to be next. And if it's not next, I think he's won away at most. Correct me if I'm wrong, you don't usually call out fighters in post-flight interviews,

but you did mention the champion this time, which got a lot of people excited. Why did you do that this time? Yeah, this was the first time I've ever said, like, another name on the microphone post-flight. I think this is a part of also the positive feedback from the fans. After Alex's last fight, I did see that a lot of people were tagging me and saying, like, this would be a great matchup. And I watched that fight, and I watched all of Alex's fights. And I'm like, yeah, I mean, it would be a great matchup. My fans like to see me strike and his fans like to see him strike.

and like you know we both have an intensity about us we both have um i feel like a good fighter spirit you know uh Alex I think that just like from from a from a from a fan standpoint I think that it's just a fight that's just like yeah that's a sick fight you know I'm not necessarily I I hope that people don't think that that was me saying, I deserve a title shot because that's not my intentions at all. You know, like, that's not what I'm calling for. I'm not on this tear and being like, you know, I've found so much of the tear that I deserve title shot. No, it's just more of like, if that's what the fans want to see, then let's make it happen versus like putting me versus, you know, someone else who is probably just going to try to wrestle me, which I'm okay with, but I don't think

that it's as exciting for my fans. Let's just say if I'm responsible for my fans, my fans want to see me fight, another striker. Because people like to see me strike and they've never shot a tape down in my life. Yeah. You know what I mean?

I would love to see it. That's more like that, that's kind of like a more clear view on like the intention. So this time next year, December of 2024, where are you at in your career? December. 24? Yeah, a year from now. Is it champion? Yeah, I'm definitely the champion.

In my career, yeah. I'm definitely the champion. And I'd say it would be, this would be the prime time being the champion that I can start to do something that involves the city of Las Vegas, something. you know like I think that that's like being a champion in Las Vegas for me like they kind of go hand in hand like I not only do I want to do this for myself but I want to do this for my city I feel like the city deserves a UFC champion and there will be a there will be a champion from Las Vegas one day hopefully I'm the first you know and then like hopefully I can be that and then you know

the kids on the east side of Las Vegas can see like, oh, there was a guy from here, the first ever UFC champion was from Las Vegas. I can go join the gym. I can also do this because we, what can we be at Las Vegas other than like entertainers or like casino tenders or, you know, just keep the city a lot. So maybe, you know, there's a young kid out there or will be a young kid out there that needs to know that it's possible, you know. to be a champion out of Las Vegas.

You know, like, if nothing else, you know, if you don't know where you're going in life, you don't know if you don't think you're smart enough to go to college and you're not, you know, strong enough to defend yourself. Well, there's plenty of gyms here and you can go and be a champion if nothing else, you know? Like, yeah, I can't.

They're just like out of those, man. I was afraid to go to the military. Didn't think I was smart enough for college, you know, I'm mediocre at playing any instruments, instruments, you know, you know, all these things. I'm like, well, what am I going to do then? You know, I'm just going to work at Jimmy jobs like I was or I'm going to work at the fight shop and, you know, just work a job and hopefully get better and get promoted manager. And I was like, I mean, that's cool, but I feel like there's more, especially with my father

was, you know. Like, so, yeah, next year, champion and then like trying to do something, trying to do something, you know, for the city, like trying to make at least the foundation of a mark on the city, whether it's like a gym or, you know, boys and girls club or just like something that just like is like, I can't, like, I'm from Las Vegas. I've left the mark on the city and like now I can go and enjoy my life elsewhere. And just like I've left something at home. I've left something there for, you know, sorry the people April 13th 2024 UFC 300

Pereira versus Hill Las Vegas Nevada In a surprise move by the UFC Dana White announces that Alex Pereira will headline the landmark event. His opponent former champion and the man who defeated Pereira's mentor

Glover Tashara Jamal Hill I see the interesting choice of water bottle right there can you speak a little bit more about it? You know, just getting acquainted with the visual that I plan on seeing on Saturday night. I'm going to hold that head up hot. I'm going to make him remember this moment here. When I'm going to go ahead and when I'm taking the octagon. He will remember this moment.

I'll make him remember this moment. When I'm in my walkout, about to go into the Ottega, and my music is playing, I'll make him remember this moment. Write it down. Take a picture. I don't give a fuck. We getting it in. When you step in there with me, ain't nothing to talk about. Ain't nothing to say. It's all right here and I'm on your ass.

Herrera knocks out the former champion in devastating fashion three minutes into round one. June 29th, 2024, UFC 303, Pereira versus Prohachka 2, Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally announced to be the return of Connor McGregor, Pereira and Prahachka, accept the late-notice main event booking after McGregor is four. to withdraw due to a toe injury. Uh, Portan, Yuri said that you're using some sort of sorcery, some magic, some things from the beyond. That's what Yuri said about you.

What would you have to comment on that? I think we, everyone, uh, have a spirit. I think we don't live just, just of the corpse, uh, I think, maybe he don't have encountered his, uh, and as I said, and, like I said, I don't have a couple. Um, you know, I think everyone has to be able to do you know, I think everyone has a cop. as a spirit. We don't just live in a body. If he hasn't found his spirit yet, it's not my fault.

After Pereira drops the former champ and nearly finishes at the end of round one, the champion stops Prahachka with a brutal head kick only 13 seconds into round two. And the high kick that you landed, did you come off the stool in a second knowing you were going to throw that? Or was it just something you saw at the moment? No, actually, I wasn't. the locker room talking to Pliny on my coaches and he showed me the view of GED warming up and I saw that he was trying to counter attack the calf kick, the sand and counter. But I told Plano that he was doing a wrong time. The timing was not good. So I saw that he was

too focused on not taking that kick and he was keeping hands down and leaving the head, you know, exposed. So I told him to say, I want to explore the high kick. October 5th, 2024, UFC 307, Pereira versus Roundtree, Salt Lake City, Utah. Alex Pereira is set to main event his third pay-per-view of 2024, his fourth headlining pay-per-view in the last 12 months. He will face surging striker, Colleo Roundtree, for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. A lot of fans have deemed you the glory kickboxer killer and that Alex Pereira is sort of of your final boss. He's the King Cupa in order for you to finish this story of being the glory

kickboxing killer. What would that mean to you if Dana on top of that gets to wrap that belt around your waist? Yeah, I mean, this is what I've been working for. You know, when I found, when I started MMA, everything, when my life changed, it all happened kind of like by accident, but I stayed strong. I stay dedicated. And I've always had a belief that, you know, this was possible. So now I'm finally here and I'm like living in this reality that was a dream. So what it means to me is everything. It's that time that I've always seen in my mind. You know, like now it's here.

And so I feel great, man. Like, I'm ready for this. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. Hi, I'm Sophia Loper Carroll, host of the Before the Chorus podcast. We dive into the life experiences behind the music we love. Artists of all genres are welcome. And I've been joined by some pretty amazing folks, like glass animals. I guess that was the idea was to try something personal and see what happened.

And Japanese breakfast. I thought that the most surprising thing I could offer was an album about joy. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts. Oh, and remember, so much happens before the chorus. With Instacart, you get groceries that over-deliver, so you can over-share your preferences. Want russet potatoes with no brown spots? You got it. Want turnips that look light but feel heavy?

Easy. Want honey crisp apples that are firm green and definitely not Macintosh like last year when you lost the fall bake-off to perfect Penelope Johnson? Okay, a bit TMI, but we're here for it. So download the app today and get zero delivery fees on your first three orders.

Instacart, groceries that over deliver. Service fees exclusions in terms apply.