Dana White traps Alex Pereira against Khalil Rountree while Daniel Cormier reveals UFC 307 tactics

At UFC 307, Alex Pereira is preparing to defend his light heavyweight crown for the third time. His opponent? The No. 8th place Khalil Roundtreeis a dangerous striker who delivers devastating finishes Anthony Smith in 2023 and is currently on a 5-fight winning streak. But could there be a storm brewing for Pereira that he may have overlooked?

Daniel CormieI think so. According to the former champion champ, UFC boss Dana White may have prepared Pereira for an outcome no one could have predicted. Although “Poatan” goes into this fight as the clear favorite according to Cormier, the entire situation reminds him of a “trap” and the champion may have to be careful how he proceeds!

Alarm bells are ringing for Daniel Cormier as he reveals UFC and Dana White's plans for Alex Pereira at UFC 307

According to oddsmakers at DraftKings, Alex Pereira is at a comfortable -500, while Khalil Rountree is the underdog at +380 heading into UFC 307. For many, this fight seems like a mismatch, but Daniel Cormier sees danger lurking for Pereira.

On an episode of “Funky and the Champ,” the UFC commentator and former champion explained: “It seems that a guy who is ranked no. World No. 8 taking on the champion is a blueprint for an upset… They're called trap games in football. For Alex Pereira, it feels like a trap game. And if he’s not ready, it seems like Khalil Rountree could take him out with his power.”

The term “trap game” is used when a favorite misses a seemingly weaker opponent, only to be caught off guard. Could this be the same fate that awaits Alex Pereira on fight night? Because Cormier also pointed out that Salt Lake City, Utah, is a breeding ground for shockers. Take a look back at UFC 278 in 2022, when Kamaru Usman, on the verge of victory, was knocked unconscious by Leon Edwards in the final moments of their welterweight title fight.

So could it be that Dana White, the mastermind of this duel, had the same outcome in mind? Cormier's statements seem to indicate that Rountree's selection seems strategic because “…if there’s anything to say about Salt Lake City, there’s excitement.”

As UFC 307 approaches, one thing is certain: Khalil Rountree has nothing to lose and everything to gain. After all, a recent statement states that the 205 lbs. The title contender has revealed that he does not see himself as an outsider. In fact, he thinks Alex Pereira knows exactly what he's dealing with!

“The War Horse” won’t change his tactics for “Poatan.”

With his explosive power and striking power, Khalil Rountree is determined to make a name for himself in the Octagon at UFC 307. But the question on everyone's mind is: Can he take on one of the best strikers in MMA history? Because so far in the UFC, only Israel Adesanya has managed to catch “Poatan” by the feet and send him crashing to the canvas when they competed against each other at UFC 287 in 2023.

During UFC 307 media day, “The War Horse” shared: “I'd like to think he won't be overly confident. The momentum can give us a certain kind of confidence, which can be a good thing, but I think we both know what we're dealing with on both sides. ”

Pereira, a former two-weight Glory kickboxing champion, may be one of the most feared strikers in the sport, but Rountree is not backing down and unwilling to wrestle Pereira. Why? Roundtree explained: “Don't expect anything else. Wait for me. Expect who you've always seen. Now if something happens and I take damage, I have no choice but to shoot for a takedown. Okay, maybe that will happen. But my game plan hasn't changed.”

Of course, a fight plan is never set in stone, and as Mike Tyson once said: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.“But so far it looks like this fight will be decided on the feet, where both men feel at home. Could Daniel Cormier's warning about a “trap” for Alex Pereira come true? Or will “Poatan” walk away with another title defense? Let us know what you think in the comments below!