Khalil Rountree has asserted he’s ‘never been punched as hard’ as when he fought Alex Pereira.Rountree met Pereira in the main event of UFC 307 for the light heavyweight title back in October.Rountree was bloodied up in his fight with PereiraGettyAnd suffered a deviated nasal septum@KhalilrountreeThe American put on an exceptional performance in Salt Lake City, but he was ultimately overwhelmed by Pereira, who stopped the fight in the championship rounds with some almighty combinations.Rountree has since bounced back with an impressive win over Jamahal Hill last month in Baku, Azerbaijan, and has a quick turnaround before he’s back in the octagon against Jiri Prochazka in October.The pair meet on the main card of UFC 320, which is headlined by Pereira’s rematch with Magomed Ankalaev, who dethroned the Brazilian of his belt in his last fight after beating Rountree.Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience last week, Rountree was asked by the popular podcast host how it felt to mix it up with Pereira. “Pereira’s got a different power, man, for sure,” Rountree, 35, explained.“It feels like a stone… remarkably [different.]”Rountree was left a bloody mess in his fight with Pereira, while his right eye closed up following his opponent’s brutal jab.Gruesome footage even circulated after the bout, showing Rountree’s face almost explode from one of Pereira’s huge, straight left hands.UFC commentator Daniel Cormier even shared a photo of Rountree’s blood that had leaked onto his phone, positioned on the commentary table, from the octagon.Rountree was also forced to undergo septoplasty surgery as he suffered a deviated nasal septum during the brawl.Rountree said Pereira’s punches felt like he was being hit with a stoneGetty“I’ve never been punched as hard as I did when I fought Pereira,” Rountree 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.”Rountree went on to reveal that he gained much-needed confidence from his defeat to Pereira.He can throw his name back into the mix for a title shot if he gets past No. 2-ranked light heavyweight Prochazka at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on October 4.Rountree made it seven wins in his last eight after securing a unanimous decision win over HillGettyWhat is Khalil Rountree’s story?Rountree made it to MMA’s summit with the toughest of surroundings.He lost his dad, Khalil Rountree Sr., when he was just two years old.His father managed pop stars and was Muhammad Ali’s bodyguard before he was murdered in 1992.Rountree says his father’s premature passing hindered his formative years.The Las Vegas native feared he would eat, smoke and drink himself into an early grave before he found his love for MMA and became one of the most talented fighters on Dana White’s roster.