UFC 307 predictions and best bets

October is here and so is UFC 307! The star of the card is UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who has once again proven that he is ready to challenge anyone at any time; and co-main eventing the card is a bout between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Pena for the women's bantamweight championship. In this article, I'll break down who wins each battle in this stacked event!

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UFC 307: How to watch Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree's start time…

Creating a STACKED UFC 310 Fight Card (Las Vegas)

Fights after UFC Paris | The Wright Way Network

Main Event: Alex Pereira (11-2) (-560) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (+370)

Selection: Alex Pereira by KO/TKO

This fight is a striker's paradise as two of the best strikers in the entire organization face off for the light heavyweight championship. This could very well be the toughest defense of Pereira's light heavyweight career, as Rountree is one of the strongest strikers the UFC has ever seen, but I still give the edge to the current champion. While Rountree's power may be scary, nothing convinces me that he is technically on the same level as elite kickboxer Alex Pereira. Rountree's wild style should see him get hit by Pereira's deadly left hook and be on the receiving end of a highlight reel knockout.

Co-Main Event: Raquel Pennington

(16-8) (-172) vs. Julianna Peña (10-5) (+134)

Selection: Raquel Pennigton by decision

The co-main event features a women's bantamweight championship bout between current champion Raquel Pennington and former champion Julianna Peña. Unfortunately for Peña, I don't expect her to win gold a second time. Her absence from competition due to a loss in which she was defeated six times does not make me confident that she can defeat a fighter as experienced as Pennigton over the fence.

Main card #10: José Aldo (32-8) (+120) vs. Mario Bautista (14-2) (-154)

Selection: Jose Aldo by decision

One of the UFC's greatest fighters of all time returns to the Octagon this weekend to challenge another up-and-coming contender: Mario Bautista. Bautista is a very good grappler who has improved as a striker throughout his career, but hasn't improved enough to get a win against Aldo. Bautista isn't a good enough wrestler to think he can overcome Aldo's elite takedown defense, and Aldo's technical striking advantage and his recent performance against Jonathan Martinez lead me to believe this is likely to be a pretty lopsided decision win for the former featherweight Champion.

Main card #9: Kayla Harrison (17-1) (-850) vs Ketlen Vieira (14-3) (+500)

Selection: Kayla Harrison by decision

A classic title eliminator bout where the winner will face the winner of the evening's co-main event next time in the octagon. In this case, the big favorite Kayla Harrison will emerge as the winner. Viera isn't at the same athletic level as Harrison and her explosiveness should be enough to overwhelm on both the ground and feet. This fight is just another stepping stone until Harrison takes over the division and potentially pushes Amanda Nunes out of retirement.

Main card #8: Roman Dolidze (13-3) (+126) vs. Kevin Holland (26-11) (-162)

Selection: Roman Dolidze by decision

The main card opener is an exciting middleweight bout between Roman Dolidze and the always active Kevin Holland. Although Holland is favored, I believe Dolidze's size will be the deciding factor in this fight. Dolidze is naturally the much bigger man, which he proves by facing and defeating Anthony Smith at light heavyweight. I don't expect it will be too difficult for Dolidze to get Holland on his side, nor should it be too much of a challenge for him to keep him there. Dolidze's strength and grappling advantage are too great to ignore, and I expect the underdog to emerge victorious in the opening match of the main card.

Preliminary No. 7: Stephen Thompson (17-7-1) (+162) vs. Joaquin Buckley (19-6) (-210)

Selection: Joaquin Buckley by decision

Preliminary round No. 6: Marina Rodriguez (17-4-2) (+138) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (16-5) (-178)

Selection: Marina Rodriguez by decision

Preliminary round No. 5: Ihor Potieria (21-6) (+285) vs. César Almeida (5-1) (-400)

Selection: César Almeida by KO/TKO

Preliminary No. 4: Alexander Hernandez (14-8) (-196) vs. Austin Hubbard (16-7) (+152)

Selection: Alexander Henandez by decision

Preliminary round: #3: Carla Esparza (19-7) (+138) vs Tecia Pennington (13-7) (-178)

Selection: Carla Esparza by decision

Preliminary round No. 2: Ovince St. Preuz (27-17) (+235) vs. Ryan Spann (21-10) (-320)

Pick: Ryan Spann by KO/TKO

Prelims #1: Tim Means (33-16-1) (-215) vs. Court McGee (21-13) (+164)

Selection: Tim Means by KO/TKO