Championship fights often leave their mark, but Alex Pereira’s recent title defense at UFC 307 left him with more than another victory notch on his belt. The light heavyweight champion’s battle against Khalil Rountree Jr. proved that even the man nicknamed ‘Stone Hands’ wasn’t immune to the occupational hazards of punching very tough people in the face.
During a candid conversation on the Podpah podcast, Pereira revealed the lingering effects of his fourth-round TKO victory. The Brazilian champion found himself in an unusual predicament as his hands hurt from hitting Rountree too much.
“In that 4th round, I was throwing jabs and it was hurting my hand man, I swear. I was thinking ‘my hand must be broken’. It still hurts today.”
The fact that Alex Pereira’s hands, instruments that have ended numerous fights with singular strikes, were compromised speaks volumes about Rountree’s durability. The fight itself was a masterclass in adaptation and perseverance. Rountree came out swinging with sharp boxing that even managed to floor the champion briefly. But Pereira, showing the composure of a seasoned champion, weathered the storm and turned the tide.
The revelation about his hand injury adds another layer to Alex Pereira’s impressive performance. Fighting through pain is one thing, but maintaining the precision to land 67.2% of the strikes while the primary weapons are compromised is the stuff of championship mettle!
Khalil Routree Jr. Reveals The Extent Of Damage Alex Pereira Inflicted On Him
The fight game can be brutal, and no one knows this better than Rountree Jr. after UFC 307. Light heavyweight champion ‘Poatan’ unleashed his devastating striking arsenal as he claimed another victim. In doing so, he left lasting marks that required surgical intervention.
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In a candid revelation via MMA Junkie, Rountree Jr. disclosed that Alex Pereira’s punches had transformed his septum into what he described as a “C” shape. The surgery to repair his septum became necessary.
“Did some damage to my nose. So I had my septum replaced because it was crooked like a letter ‘C’ and I couldn’t breathe… Everything was just like the cuts on the nose. The nose was the worst thing.”
Through it all, Rountree’s spirit remains unbroken, even if his septum temporarily was. His ability to discuss these injuries with such composure speaks volumes about the resilience of UFC fighters. While most people would need an extended vacation, the ‘War Horse’ talked about it like someone describing a minor inconvenience.
Also Read: Khalil Rountree Chases 2025 Q1 Comeback Against Former Light Heavyweight Champion After UFC 307
