MMA fans debate over slow-mo clip of  Alex Pereira getting saved by "split-second decision-making" at UFC 307

Alex Pereira had one of the toughest tests of his MMA career as he soldiered through early adversity before knocking out Khalil Rountree Jr. in the fourth round at UFC 307. A slo-mo clip from the fight has fans debating whether 'Poatan' might have been knocked out himself, if not for a split-second decision he made during the fight.

For context, during the second round of the contest 'The War Horse' was having notable success on the feet, even dazing Pereira at one point with a right hand. However, the clip in question shows a different moment from the fight.

Rountree ducked down and feinted a left hook before pivoting his hips, full torque, into a roundhouse kick to the head.

While the light heavyweight champion had initially moved his head back and away to the right to evade the would-be punch, he reacted quickly to the kick and turned his head to the left to minimize the damage he would sustain from the blow.

Check out Alex Pereira's head movement below:

Suffice it to say, this moment has ignited a fan debate on X, regarding Pereira's defensive prowess.

@RemyMacs wrote:

"Foot off the ground, hips turning, full torque, Alex dipping into it. Split-second decision-making saved him."

In a differing opinion, @betmorekai wrote:

"I disagree. I think connecting behind the ear like here, compared to the temple where it would have landed would have the same result. I think he's just less likely to get KOd at lhw."

Check out a few more reactions below:

Screenshots courtesy: @RemyMacs on X

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Alex Pereira claims fight against Khalil Rountree Jr. was "one of the toughest" of his career

Alex Pereira has faced a veritable who's who of the sport since crossing over to MMA. The hard-hitting Brazilian has faced off and won against promotional elites including Israel Adesanya, Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Jan Blachowicz among others.

So it is a testament to Khalil Rountree's toughness when 'Potatan' calls their UFC 307 fight, one of the toughest of his career. During his post-fight interview following the win, Pereira said:

"I can say that this was one of the toughest fights. I expected that. I watched a lot of Khalil's fights. He has got experience, he has trained in the best spots in Thailand and he showed tonight why he has got so much quality in here."

Check out Alex Pereira's comments below (1:34):