100 Men vs 1 Gorilla: Primatologists Explain Who Would Win

100 Men vs 1 Gorilla: Who would win? A primatology expert addresses the viral debate.

Individuals on TikTok, X, and Reddit have been deliberating about the potential victor in a hypothetical confrontation, prompting us to consult an expert for insight.

Social media users are incessantly debating the outcome of a hypothetical confrontation between 100 human males and a single gorilla.

The viral question has pervaded discussions on TikTok, X, and Reddit since mid-April, as internet users either defend their positions or generate memes influenced by the dialogue.

We investigated the origins of this debate and consulted an expert to provide a definitive answer.

What’s behind this debate:

This is not the inaugural instance of this hypothetical contest being discussed online. It appears to have originated in 2020 from a query asked in the Who Would Win? subreddit, a forum on Reddit focused on debating the outcomes of hypothetical confrontations.

The inquiry gained viral traction on TikTok in February 2022 and reemerged in early 2025, as reported by Know Your Meme, a platform committed to chronicling and elucidating diverse internet memes.

The phenomenon has evolved to the extent where individuals have created virtual simulations of 100 men battling a single gorilla to choose the victor.

Prominent internet figures, including Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, YouTube’s most renowned creator, have contributed to the discourse, exposing it to millions. Donaldson humorously proposed creating a YouTube video to address the inquiry for his 32 million X followers. In reply, X owner Elon Musk, boasting over 219 million followers, stated, “Certainly, what is the worst that could occur?”

So, who would win? An expert weighs in.

To resolve this debate (without instigating a confrontation between numerous men and a gorilla), Yahoo News consulted Tara Stoinski, the president, CEO, and chief scientific officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

Stoinski, a gorilla researcher for over 30 years, stated that she has gotten numerous enquiries from friends and various news sites seeking an answer to this specific subject. She informed Yahoo News that she was not particularly astonished by social media’s fascination with this specific inquiry, as “a frequently posed question is how much stronger gorillas are than humans.”

“Gorillas possess significantly greater strength than humans, particularly in upper body strength, especially among males,” Stoinski stated. “They are the largest primates on Earth, possessing substantial heads, jaws, and jaw muscles, which render them formidable biters, primarily for defensive purposes.”

Stoinski elucidates that gorillas are herbivorous, so their robust musculature and jaws serve a defensive purpose rather than a predatory one.

What is Stoinski’s opinion? Is it possible for one gorilla to confront one hundred men? She stated that the answer is negative. She asserted that the humans will probably prevail.

“The male gorilla possesses considerable size and strength, weighing 400 pounds of pure muscle, with formidable jaw strength and an intimidating presence,” she stated. “I believe, however, that in this instance, it is a matter of numerical significance.” With 100 men pursuing a single gorilla, they possess numerous techniques to exhaust and deplete the gorilla’s stamina. They are capable of coordinating their actions and alternating roles.

However, it may not be an unequivocal victory for humanity.

“He would likely eliminate several individuals during the confrontation; they would not emerge unscathed,” Stoinski stated. The data appears to be advantageous for humans.

Although some may find it astonishing that humans could prevail over a gorilla in combat, Stoinski is more astonished by the idea that a gorilla would intuitively seek to attack a bunch of humans at all.

“In the ongoing discourse regarding gorillas confronting humans, I believe one aspect that is overlooked is that gorillas are often referred to as ‘gentle giants,’” Stoinski stated. If they are apprehensive or feel the need to protect their family, they may exhibit aggression. However, they are frequently gentle creatures.