UFC 307 kicks off on Saturday, October 4th and brings with it plenty of exciting matchups. Exciting matchups include Alex Pereira returning to defend his light heavyweight title against Khalil Roundtree Jr., Kayla Harrison making her second fight with the promotion against Ketlen Vieira, and more.

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There are early prelims, prelims and the main card, which features a total of 12 fights throughout the night. Here’s how to watch each competition.

Here’s how to watch

The evening begins with the early prelims, which can be viewed on UFC Fight Pass. Three fights are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. PST/6:30 p.m. EST.

The second slate of the evening includes four preliminary bouts that can be seen on ESPN and ESPN+. Prelims begin at 5:00 p.m. PST/8:00 p.m. EST.

There are five fights on the main card, two of which are title fights. The main card promotion can be ordered via ESPN+. The main card begins at 7:00 p.m. PST/10:00 p.m. EST.

Main card predictions

Ketlen Vieira (14-3-0) vs. Kayla Harrison (17-1-0)

The main card begins with the aforementioned fight between Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira. Harrison made her UFC debut in April 2023 against former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, winning via rear naked choke in the second round.

Harrison is a strong judo fighter who has mastered wrestling at an elite level. However, Vieira defeated Holm via split decision in May 2022. Vieira lost to current bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington in January 2023, but bounced back with a win over Pannie Kianzad in July 2023 via unanimous decision.

Vieira has a 92% takedown defense. So expect her to fight Harrison. However, Harrison could be overwhelmed early and often. Expect an early finish from Harrison.

Harrison by TKO in round 2.

Roman Dolidze (13-3-0) vs. Kevin Holland (26-11-0, 1NC)

Roman Dolidze and Kevin Holland are an interesting middleweight pairing. Both have the kind of striking that can knock out their opponent in a flash. However, Holland has had ups and downs in his last three games.

Holland is currently 1-2 in his last three matches, losing by split decision to Jack Della Maddalena in September 2023, losing by unanimous decision to Michael Page in April 2024 and winning by submission against Michal Oleksiejczuk.

Holland looked good against Oleksiejczuk and he may need to use his wrestling and grappling to defeat Dolidze.

Dolidze is also 1-2 in his last three fights, but recently defeated Anthony Smith via unanimous decision in June 2024. Dolidze has a 33 percent takedown defense and may need to keep things on his toes to survive.

Holland may want to stand up and trade punches with Dolidze, but he should rely more on takedowns in this matchup.

Holland by assist in round 3.

Jose Aldo (32-8-0) vs. Mario Bautista (14-2-0)

The “King of Rio” is officially back in the octagon. Former featherweight champion Jose Aldo will face Mario Bautista in a bantamweight showdown. Although Aldo has only fought three times since December 2021, he is still one of the most dangerous UFC fighters.

Aldo returned to the promotion after a two-year hiatus in May 2024, defeating Johnathan Martinez by unanimous decision. His performance was respectable as Aldo already demonstrated his lightning-fast striking ability at the age of 38.

Aldo will once again face Bautista, who has three wins over Guido Cannetti by submission in Round 1 in March 2023, Da’Mon Blackshear by unanimous decision in August 2023 and Ricky Simon by unanimous decision in January 2024.

Bautista may want to try to take Aldo out early, but Aldo will use his 91 percent grappling defense to dismantle Bautista to a decision win.

Aldo by unanimous vote.

Raquel Pennington (16-9-0) vs. Julianna Pena (12-5-0)

In the first of two title fights at UFC 307, Raquel Pennington defends the women’s bantamweight championship against former champion Julianna Pena.

Pennington won the vacant bantamweight championship when she defeated Maya Bueno Silva in January 2024. Pennington is a strange champion, having defeated her last six opponents largely by decision. Nevertheless, she seems to have found her groove.

Pennington nearly outscored Silva by nearly three times to win the title. Their total of 265 goals compared to Silva’s 95 paint a clear picture: Pennington can outwork almost anyone.

Pena is not a slacker. She lost two games in a row to former world champion and world-famous world champion Amanda Nunes, so it is difficult to assess whether Pena is no longer at that mastery level.

This fight could go either way, but Pennington could just lean on her strong chin and outwork Pena for the win.

Pennington by split decision.

Alex Pereira (11-2-0) vs. Khalil Roundtree Jr. (14-5-0)

Alex Pereira has been in tears since joining the UFC. Although he won the middleweight title and then lost it to Israel Idesanya, he moved up to light heavyweight to beat the competition in that weight class.

Pereira has beaten the best of the best in Jan Blachowicz, Jiří Procházka (twice) and Jamahal Hill. As things stand, Pereira could be the best fighter in the UFC.

Despite being at such a high level, Pereira has a tough time in Roundtree. The challenger is a knockout artist who has slept three of his last four opponents. His last was against Anthony Smith in December 2023.

Roundtree is considered a “trap” opponent for Pereira, meaning he could sleep the champion if he’s not ready. Still, Pereira faced the best knockout fighters in the light heavyweight division, and no one could touch him.

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Pereria is just too good at the moment and his innate ability to push forward and dominate opponents is too great to be overlooked. Expect a quick ending here.

Pereira by TKO/KO in round 1.

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