Musings on Alex Pereira’s fourth round onslaught of Khalil Rountree

A film room study for you guys!

Standing there basking in the blood of the work he’d just done, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira had put on an electrifying fourth round at UFC 307. Khalil Rountree’s body lies on the floor, the recipient of said performance. Today, we are going to look at some of “Poatan’s” methods that saw him go from being down two rounds to one, and go to the internet-breaking performance.

Today, we will fast forward through the first three rounds and briefly address the problems presented to Alex Pereira by Khalil Rountree as we go. So fast forward to round four and let’s take a deeper look.

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Figuring out Khalil Rountree

It may have taken three rounds, but when Alex Pereira finally figured out Khalil Rountree, it was full steam ahead. Early in the fight, Rountree was explosive and extended combinations as Pereira backed out of exchanges with his chins high, a consistent thing “Poatan” does. But in round four, and at elevation mind you, Rountree slowed down. As much as it seemed like Pereira was in hyperspeed this round, it actually started out with a slow roll, snowballing into the emphatic finish.

Early in the fourth, Pereira used the jab that he had great success with all fight to gauge Rountree’s reaction. Instead of the three, four, and more punch combinations coming back at him, Rountree returned with one punch.

Alex Pereira felt him out one more time, this time seeing how much Rountree would be willing to follow him around the cage. (1) Pereira starts off with that handy jab and (2) pivots his back foot out so see how aggressive Rountree would be. Rountree would not be aggressive at all.

It was these types of reactions that Pereira decided to stomp his foot on the gas and begin to lay it on Rountree.

Next, Pereira would test the waters by extending his own combinations.

Alex Pereira and the pull counter

(1) Pereira shoots out his jab and (2) Rountree responds with his big left hand. (2) Pereira slips his head to the outside of Rountree’s cross which causes Rountree to overextend. Seen in the next frame (3) Pereira comes behind with a cross and (4) with a huge uppercut. The uppercut would come into play later on.

In fact, the pull cross counter would be integral to Alex Pereira’s performance at UFC 307.

Knowing that Khalil Rountree was now countering with one punch at a time, Pereira could tease out an attack and counter after making him miss. (1) The teasing comes from ole reliable: Alex Pereira’s jab. Predictably, (2) Rountree swings to which Pereira leans out of the way. This leaning back facilitates the priming of Pereira’s right hand which he (3) lands home.

Pereira would then build off of that and build off of the previously explored uppercut and pull counter in combination. As seen in the GIF above, Pereira jabs to draw out the punch of Rountree, pulls back to counter with his right hand and comes with the uppercut behind that. Rountree covers up as Pereira continues to pour on damage.

Stalking his prey

Tangentially, Pereira explored the Dutch hand trap against Rountree’s high guard as well, though he didn’t need to utilize this after this moment.

Against the fence (1) Khalil Rountree brings up the high guard. Instead of the uppercut, Pereira (2) reaches with his lead left hand and grabs the left hand of Pereira and pulls it down which provides a (3) lane for the right hand.

The Dutch hand trap is a great technique but has some draw backs. Extending his left hand to grab Rountree’s left opens up the lane for the lead hook of the southpaw, Rountree. Committing both hands to one side will always open up a counter on the other side and Pereira, being the caliber of kickboxer that he is, only used this as Rountree was throwing back one strike at a time, was visibly slower, and was only covering up.

With Rountree using the high guard exclusively to protect against the battering of Pereira up top, the body is opened up for some massive damage.

Pereira would finally throw some massive hooks to the body, led with the right and followed with the lead left to the body, Pereira would crumple Rountree over just before the finish.

At the end of the round, (1 & 2) Pereira fires two hooks to the body. The blows cause Rountree to fold over and keeps his high guard. Without his eyes on the prize and the high guard still up, (3) Alex Pereira picks the perfect weapon to put Khalil Rountree away once and for all: a rear uppercut splitting the guard. Rountree not looking at the punch coming is the key factor and the shot selection is perfection.

Alex Pereira’s performance against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 was nothing short of spectacular. It capped off a Fighter-of-the-Year worthy stretch for “Poatan.” As incredible as Rountree is, the craftiness and power of Alex Pereira combined was just too much for the contender.