AL OF A RISE

Pereira's a show-stopper

- GARY HITCHCOCK

ALEX PEREIRA was the man with no name in MMA circles less than three years ago. Now he is the most feared gunslinger in the UFC.

The theme from the 'The Good, the bad and the ugly' was fitting entrance music for opponent Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307, with the challenger for Pereira's light-heavyweight title experiencing all three in Salt Lake City.

The Good saw Rountree belie his underdog status in the first three rounds, landing several stiff punches to lead 29-28 on all three scorecards.