Alex Pereira stops Khalil Rountree Jr., retains title at UFC 307 - ESPN

One of the most remarkable runs in UFC history continues, but it was much more difficult than expected.

Alex Pereira methodically broke down a game Khalil Rountree Jr. and used a bruising sequence of body punches to retain his light heavyweight championship with a fourth-round stoppage Saturday night in the main event of UFC 307 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) was slotted into his third title defense in 176 days after headlining UFC 300 in April and UFC 303 in June. Unlike his knockout victories against Jamahal Hill and JiYí Procházka, Pereira faced adversity against an opponent who refused to go away willingly.

Rountree was up on all three of the judges' scorecards, 29-28, heading into the fourth.

«This was one of my toughest fights. I expected that,» Pereira said. «The game plan was to let him tire. I saw he started decreasing his stamina in the second round. My stamina only goes up.»

Fighting out of Las Vegas, Rountree Jr. (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) drew heavy criticism for being selected to challenge for the 205-pound title as the UFC's No. 8-ranked light heavyweight, with No. 2-ranked Magomed Ankalaev being surprisingly passed over. But Rountree proved his worth by withstanding an immense amount of punishment and getting the better of the striking exchanges in the early rounds.

«Poatan» was disciplined from the outset, feeding the challenger a steady diet of calf kicks and jabs. Rountree was undeterred in the opening rounds and connected with several left hands to get the champion's respect.

In the second round, Rountree briefly dropped Pereira to a knee by countering a head kick with a right hand. Pereira wasn't hurt, but it was clear that Rountree could match him in the power