Khalil Rountree has openly admitted that he has never experienced being punched harder than in his fight against Alex Pereira. The UFC light heavyweight title bout took place in October at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, where Pereira’s overwhelming power played a decisive role in the outcome.

During the championship match, Rountree showed resilience and skill but was eventually stopped by Pereira’s relentless and powerful combinations in the later rounds. Despite the defeat, Rountree has since returned to winning form with an impressive victory over Jamahal Hill in Baku, Azerbaijan, last month. He is scheduled for a quick return to the octagon to face Jiri Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division, at UFC 320 in October. This event will be part of the main card headlined by Pereira’s rematch against Magomed Ankalaev, who claimed Pereira’s title after defeating Rountree.

Khalil Rountree describes Pereira’s unmatched punching power

In a recent conversation on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Rountree was asked about his experience facing Pereira, one of UFC’s most feared strikers. Rountree commented on the sheer physical force behind Pereira’s punches, emphasizing how it was unlike anything he had encountered before in his career.

“Pereira’s got a different power, man, for sure,”

Rountree explained.

“It feels like a stone… remarkably [different].”

The brutal nature of that power was clear as Rountree suffered severe damage during the fight. His right eye was swollen shut following a powerful jab, and gruesome footage circulated showing his face almost being torn apart by Pereira’s straight left hands. Daniel Cormier, a UFC commentator, even shared a photo showing the extent of the bleeding, capturing blood that had transferred onto his phone from the commentary table.

Rountree also revealed that he underwent septoplasty surgery due to a deviated nasal septum sustained in the fight. Reflecting on the experience, he reaffirmed the extraordinary intensity of Pereira’s strikes:

“I’ve never been punched as hard as I did when I fought Pereira,”

Rountree stated.

He added,

“Like, ever, in sparring, there was just something… it’s kind of crazy, because I give credit where credit is due. I don’t want to gas [Pereira] up too much, but there is just one thing, and it’s like, I don’t know, [his power] is real.”

“It’s not anything lucky, but when it lands it’s like – yeah.”

Despite the physical toll, Rountree said the fight boosted his confidence. This experience could shape his approach moving forward as he aims for another shot at the title.

Upcoming UFC showdown against Jiri Prochazka in October

Rountree’s next challenge will be a significant test against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 320 on October 4, held in Las Vegas. A victory in this bout would re-establish him as a top contender in the light heavyweight division, keeping his hopes alive for a title rematch. This matchup is particularly important as it follows Pereira’s loss to Magomed Ankalaev, who dethroned Pereira in a recent fight that also followed Pereira’s victory over Rountree.

The personal journey behind Khalil Rountree’s MMA career

Khalil Rountree’s rise in MMA has been shaped by profound personal challenges. He lost his father, Khalil Rountree Sr., when he was only two years old. His father, a former bodyguard for Muhammad Ali and a manager of pop stars, was tragically murdered in 1992. This loss deeply affected Rountree’s early life, leading him to struggle with fears of self-destructive behavior before discovering MMA as a positive outlet.

Growing up in Las Vegas, Rountree faced a difficult path but found purpose and discipline in mixed martial arts. He has since become one of Dana White’s most promising fighters, representing resilience both inside and outside the octagon.