It’s rare for a fighter to make a name for himself with just one technique. Yet, against all odds, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has already cemented his reputation in the MMA world, largely due to his devastating left hook. The Brazilian first revealed this weapon at UFC 276, where he dropped Sean Strickland in the second round. This moment marked the start of a trend where Pereira’s left hook, once viewed as a simple shot, left opponents like Jamahal Hill, Israel Adesanya, and Jiri Prochazka stunned.

Now, as the Brazilian gears up for his fourth title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, his left hook is once again under the microscope. Recently, ‘Poatan’s former nemesis Jamahal Hill questioned the punch’s power, dubbing it a “one-hit wonder” on his YouTube channel. But is that really the case? Let’s dive into just how hard Pereira truly hits!

The secret behind Alex Pereira’s left hook

Turning 38 this summer, Alex Pereira continues to refine his craft, and with time, he has become one of the biggest names in the promotion. In less than four years, the Brazilian has established himself as the face of the UFC, gaining widespread popularity in America and worldwide. Even UFC legends like Conor McGregor have expressed admiration for Pereira’s technique, which is often compared to a predator in the wild—calm and composed, yet striking with lethal precision when the opportunity arises.

With his largely underestimated physique and subtle low rotation, Alex Pereira strategically positions his left hook within the opponent’s view, enticing them to come closer. And then—boom—the opponent is put to sleep! So, what’s the secret behind the Brazilian’s powerful left hook? According to the man himself, it’s in his “genetics.” In a recent UFC 313 Embedded episode, ‘Poatan’ shared that his strength comes from his “family and parents.”

Additionally, he credited his strength to the kind of rough work he did while growing up. This included helping his father on his construction site and working in a tire shop for over 14 years. But the ultimate question remains: just how hard does Alex Pereira hit? The answer is yet to be fully uncovered, but let’s take a deeper look.

How strong is Alex Pereira’s punch?

The punch machine has become a popular way for MMA fighters to test their striking power outside of training camps. Who could forget the viral video of Conor McGregor last year, where he unloaded on the machine but still celebrated despite a surprisingly low score? Over the years, several notable fighters, including Tom Aspinall, Stipe Miocic, Derrick Lewis, Francis Ngannou, and Alex Pereira, have taken their turn at the challenge, adding to the machine’s growing reputation in combat sports.

In 2018, Francis Ngannou set the record for the hardest punch in MMA, registering an astonishing 129,161 on the PowerKube machine. That benchmark remained untouched for years until Alex Pereira shattered it last year, not only surpassing Ngannou’s score but doing so in a dominant fashion—recording an incredible 191,796 units. The feat was a testament to the Brazilian’s devastating power, as he transitioned from middleweight dominance to ruling the light heavyweight division, where he has already taken down top-tier opponents like Israel Adesanya.

Now, with UFC 313 just a day away, all eyes are once again on Alex Pereira. Will his ferocious, striking, and deadly left hook be enough to drag Magomed Ankalaev into “deep water,” just as the Dagestani powerhouse aims to do to him? Drop your predictions below.