Charles Oliveira won the undisputed UFC lightweight title with an exciting second-round TKO of two-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler.
Charles extended his winning streak to nine on a dramatic night in Texas.
The match formed the main event of UFC at the Toyota Center, where the crowd of 16,000 fans saw Oliveira produce a thrilling comeback performance to capture the title vacated this year by the former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Before the game got underway, there was a moment of respect between the pair as Chandler approached Oliveira’s corner and embraced his rival before greeting both of Oliveira’s cornermen.
When the bout began, the momentum swung back and forth as both fighters threatened to claim a KO victory in a wild opening round.
Chandler delivered a big left hand, which compelled Oliveria to shoot for a takedown, but the American instantly locked up a guillotine choke that Oliveria escaped from.
When round two began, the bout turned inside out when Oliveria stepped into striking range and knocked Chandler with a huge left hand.
Chandler immediately got back to his feet but was still stunned, Oliveira, followed up with more blows which forced Chandler down to the floor again, where a burst of ground strikes compelled referee Dan Miragliotta to stop the bout 19 seconds into the round.
A thrilled Oliveira hurdled the cage fence and, following an exciting exchange with the commentary team, charged into the audience to celebrate with the fans before finally returning to the cage to receive his title.
“I told everyone I was going to finish him, and I came and knocked him out,” said the Brazilian after his victory, which gave him the record for most KOs’ in UFC history.
“I’m proving to everybody, I’m the king of kings”, he added.
