UFC 307: Khalil Rountree's team channeling Merab Dvalishvili underdog spirit against Alex Pereira

John Wood wants to make a habit of scrapping the plans of UFC star-makers when he sends another hopeful on the hunt against a promotional golden goose Saturday at UFC 307.

The Syndicate MMA head coach is three weeks removed from cornering Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 against now-former technicolored titleholder, Sean O’Malley. The Georgian’s suffocating display left O'Malley too breathless to avail himself of the bells and whistles that punctuated his superstar ascent, allowing Dvalishvili to leave Sphere as UFC bantamweight champion.

Now Wood-trained Khalil Rountree Jr. gets his opportunity at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City to outdraw the fastest gun on UFC’s books, Alex Pereira.

Pereira's stoic façade coupled with his potent striking ability have helped him become a cult icon. Just two years after signing on the dotted line with the organization, “Poatan” had already secured titles in two different weight classes.

Not only beloved by fans, UFC owes a lot to its light heavyweight champion too.

After saving UFC 300 with a short-notice dispatch of Jamahal Hill, Pereira filled the spot vacated by Conor McGregor's broken pinky toe at UFC 303 and handed Jiri Prochazka a second short-notice loss, all before revealing his own busted digit.

Undoubtedly, Pereira is on top of the world, but Dvalishvili’s adventure with O’Malley has filled Wood with confidence, despite being briefly blinded by UFC 306's superstar spotlight.

“The Sean O’Malley promotion was insane,” Wood recalled on The Craic with Petesy Carroll.

“Two weeks before the fight, I was like, ‘Jesus Christ, are we fighting this immovable monster? He’s going to knock out Merab out in 30 seconds!’”

Thankfully for Wood, his fleeting, promotion-fueled premonition never came to fruition. Now, having reached the other side of UFC 306 with another champion in tow, the value in overcoming one of the sport's most valuable assets is evident.

“It really is a confidence booster. It really does reconfirm that we’re doing it the right way. It can be done, and these monsters that are built up behind the marketing machine of the UFC — they are beatable, they are touchable, and we can do what we want to do if we execute the game plan a certain way,” Wood said.

Underdog status is something Rountree has in common with Dvalishvili.

However, unlike Dvalishvili, many believe Rountree is not the deserving No. 1 contender for his division’s highest honor, with Dagestan’s Magomed Ankalaev perceived to be holding pole position in terms of meritocracy.

As far as Wood is concerned, being the sleeper in a high-stakes bout comes with its own rewards.

“I do believe that the climb is much more intense to get [the belt]. I always liked the underdog situation,” he explained.

“The pressure is always on the champion to win — they’re supposed to win and we’re supposed to lose. We’re basically the sacrificial lamb. Put us out to pasture, put one in us and we’re done. That’s just not going to happen.

“With Khalil, I think the underdog situation suits us well. I think it fits his story. I think he’s going to make an awesome champion when he gets there. Pereira is an awesome champion, I’ve got nothing but respect for him and his team, but I do believe it’s Khalil’s time.”

Knockout artists Pereira and Rountree have left a trail of limp bodies in their wake on the road to their light heavyweight title showdown. Given Rountree’s penchant for spectacular striking stoppages, Wood has been baffled by questions over whether his fighter will suddenly become a wrestler when stood toe-to-toe with the former kickboxing world champion.

“It makes me laugh," he said. "Out of something like 30 combined fights [between Rountree and Pereira], there has been one takedown shot. Why are we talking about this?”

Rountree believes the takedown conversation stems from an interview he did in the lead-up to the fight, and he went out of his way to clarify his point at Wednesday’s UFC 307 media day.

“My whole career, everyone has known me for, pretty much, my striking and my striking style,” Rountree said.

“What I was trying to say is, don’t expect anything different just because it’s a title fight and just because I’m going against Alex, who is also a striker. ... Now, if something happens, I get damaged and there’s no choice but to shoot a takedown, OK, maybe that happens. But my game plan and who I am has not changed.”

While opinions will vary on the outcome of the contest, many expect the title pairing to deliver a feast of striking brilliance. But according to Wood, the pedigrees of the duo may make for a tentative start.

“A lot of what [Pereira] does is baiting you in to find what he needs to find, baiting you in to knock you out. I think we’re going to see a good technical [first] round with some heavy violence in between,” said Wood.

“I think eventually we’re going to find what we’re looking for, we’re going to find the timing. With Khalil’s timing, his speed, and his vision — he’s one of those guy who touches you without trying and just kills you.

“I think it’s going to be a fun, exciting fight, and then you’re going to see one of them drop flat on their back.”