Chael Sonnen: Khalil Rountree goes to ‘stroll by means of’ Alex Pereira at UFC 307

[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] has a daring take concerning [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]’s subsequent title protection.

Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) defends his mild heavyweight title towards [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) within the UFC 307 headliner Oct. 5 at Salt Lake Metropolis.

Many suppose Rountree is undeserving of the title shot, and see Magomed Ankalaev because the extra worthy No. 1 contender. Sonnen alternatively sees Rountree as a nasty matchup for Pereira.

“First off, let me provide the scorching take of the day: Khalil Rountree goes to stroll by means of Pereira,” Sonnen stated on “Good Man/Dangerous Man” alongside Daniel Cormier. “That’s the worst matchup I may consider. That is ‘Smackdown’ invading ‘Uncooked,’ and let me clarify. After we consider who’s going to go combat for a title on pay-per-view, we consider different guys who’ve gained an entire bunch of fights on pay-per-view. Properly, Khalil was from Smackdown. He got here from the opposite present.

“He is been preventing on the Battle Nights and on the (UFC) Apex and issues like this. He is nonetheless gained (5) in a row, he stopped (4) of these sons of a weapons, and considered one of them is a former No. 1 contender, our good pal (Anthony) ‘Lionheart’ (Smith). … I’ll let you know this as a result of I do not know the way acquainted you’re or the remainder of the followers are with Khalil, however he does his very best work when he is being attacked by a kickboxer. It is not Khalil swarming any individual or taking them down or submitting them. He’s a counter fighter, and he loves whenever you punch or kick at him first.”

Sonnen acknowledges Pereira’s aura, evaluating him to different legendary fighters that have been capable of intimidate their opponents previous to the combat even beginning.

Sonnen does not see that taking place to Rountree although.

“Mike Tyson used to make guys stop within the again, Cain Velasquez would have guys wilt within the again. Anderson Silva would make guys wilt within the again as they have been so fearful of what was going to occur. Pereira is coming into that territory,” Sonnen stated. “Rountree is the improper matchup.

“All these scary punches and kicks that Pereira does, that is the place Rountree does his best work. It is a large catastrophe for anyone that thinks the UFC is making an attempt to guard Alex. In the event that they’re making an attempt to guard Alex, any individual simply made a giant mistake.”