When you think of the worst MMA injuries, one that often comes to mind is Chris Weidman snapping his right leg that bent the way no leg was ever supposed to bend. A squeamish moment that took place in his fight against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. Weidman threw his first kick of the night, and moments later he was stretchered out and quickly underwent emergency surgery.

This injury was enough to leave many fighters wishing if only shin guards were a thing in MMA. In a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, the UFC commentator was joined by legends of the sport John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas as they talked about the horrifying experience of two shins clashing. It is truly painful enough to make everyone squeamish just by imagining it. Well, almost everyone, since Joe Rogan mentions the only fighter who stands out among the rest.

According to the JRE host, Alex Pereira is a different breed altogether. ‘Poatan’ is one of the most stoic people you can find out there. However, what makes him even scarier is the fact that he is one of the strongest men in MMA history. So much so that despite not using much power, his kicks cause immense damage to his opponents. And his ability to avoid the shins while throwing such kicks is unbelievable.

This trait of the UFC 307 headliner is something that truly stuns Rogan. The UFC commentator stated, “It’s interesting the way Pereira does everything, because he doesn’t… I don’t think he runs the risk as much of that because, uh, first of all, he kind of kicks around the outside of your leg always. He never goes shin to shin, and even when he kicks the thigh, he’s like kicking up.” 

Rogan then went on to mention Pereira’s historic fight against Jiri Prochazka, where Pereira proved why he is no less than the Boogeyman in the UFC. According to the 57-year-old, Pereira has the power that truly is capable of knocking out anyone with just one blow.

He further added, “It’s crazy because it’s the perfect combination of a guy who has this insane god-given power; like, he’s got insane “One Touch of Death” power, and then the intelligence to not wind up. It’s kind of crazy. He’s just tapping you with it, tapping you with it, but the thuds are so bad.” However, not everyone can be as tough as Pereira. At least, Chris Weidman wasn’t. He once revealed how he felt after his shin broke in two.

Chris Weidman relives horrific leg break

Weidman truly had to go through a grueling process before he could make his return in 2023. The doctors had to insert a titanium rod through the middle of his shin bone, which then traveled from the top of his knee all the way down to the low part of his ankle to the bottom of the tibia. However, the experience of the horrific injury was one that still shook him to the bone. As he recalled the incident, he revealed that as soon as he broke his leg, he could see the bones. A horrific image that was followed by the memory of Anderson Silva screaming in pain.

Weidman then stated that the pain was such, that he wishes no one ever gets to experience it in their lifetime. He said, “Now they’re moving my leg around. They’re trying to hold it into place as they get me on a stretcher and all this crap, and the bones are moving around. And the pain – I can’t even explain the pain. The pain was the worst thing I could ever imagine. I kept begging them to give me pain pills: ‘Give me something quick. Put me to sleep. Get me on painkillers. Knock me out. I cannot deal with this.’ This is not meant for human beings to deal with.”

Well, with the gift of God, Pereira can be rest assured that he would, in all likelihood, never get to face such an experience. However, the same cannot be said about his opponents. After all, he is one true monster. There is a reason why Pereira’s name truly instills fear in the hearts of his opponents. And now he is ready to go one-on-one against Khalil Rountree. What do you think? Will he be able to win the fight? Let us know in the comments.