Charles Oliveira is the new UFC lightweight champion after knocking out Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in Houston.
Oliveira claims the 155-pound belt that was left vacant after Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement.
In a supremely fast-paced fight, each man had chances to win in the first round, before Oliveira landed a beautiful left hook on Chandler's chin early in the second.
It was the beginning of the end for Chandler who couldn't recover as Oliveira went for the finish.
OLIVERA BY KNOCKOUT @SpinninBackfist #UFC262 pic.twitter.com/InyuN3q0Rc
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 16, 2021
"I wanted to come out here and show I'm the best," Oliveira said.
"I said I was going to come here and knock him out, and I did.
"I proved I'm the lions on lions. Michael, you're a great champion, but today was my day."
Oliveira landed a perfect low kick to Chandler's left leg in the opening five seconds, with the American momentarily buckled.
Chandler wore it well, and answered with a nice combination of his own, opening a cut over Oliveira's eye.
Do Bronx landed a takedown, but was almost caught in a guillotine before taking Chandler's back.
All that in the first 60 seconds as Oliveira worked his way towards a submission before Chandler exploded, broke the hold and regained his feet.
Bouyed by the escape, Chandler rocked Oliveira with a series of punches, with the Brazilian buckling towards the fence.
CHANDLER HAS OLIVEIRA HURT 😱 #UFC262 pic.twitter.com/6eRPSYZ7Wc
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 16, 2021
Bloodied and battered, Oliveira was in survival mode as chants of 'USA, USA' rang around the stadium.
Chandler looked to start the second round like he ended the first, but was caught with a brilliantly timed left hook.
Badly hurt, Chandler reeled into the cage and was finished with some brutal ground and pound.
"He's probably one of the toughest guys on the planet," Chandler said afterwards.
"He's the real deal. I will be back and I promise I will wear that UFC strap within the next 12 months.
"Oliveira showed he's the consumate professional, he's showed up over the last 11 years, but we'll get this one back eventually."
In the co-main event, Tony Ferguson was dominated by fellow veteran Beneil Dariush in a lightweight showdown.
Coming off back-to-back losses to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira, Ferguson was taken down three times in three rounds and only narrowly fended off a series of submission attempts as Dariush scored a lopsided unanimious decision win.
UFC 262 RESULTS
Lightweight Charles Oliveira def Michael Chandler Rd 2KO
Lightweight Beneil Dariush def Tony Ferguson Decision via UD
Catchweight (137 lb) Rogério Bontorin def Matt Schnell via UD
Women's Flyweight Katlyn Chookagian def Viviane Araújo via UD
Featherweight Edson Barboza def Shane Burgos via Rd3 KO
Prelims
Middleweight André Muniz def Ronaldo Souza via Rd3 sub
Featherweight Lando Vannata def Mike Grundy via SD
Middleweight Jordan Wright def Jamie Pickett via Rd1 TKO
Women's Flyweight Andrea Lee def Antonina Shevchenko via Rd2 Sub
Early prelims
Women's Flyweight Priscila Cachoeira def Gina Mazany via Rd2 TKO
Featherweight Tucker Lutz def Kevin Aguilar via UD
Lightweight Christos Giagos def Sean Soriano via sub