CHARLES OLIVEIRA is the UFC's new lightweight champion following a stunning upset of Michael Chandler.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom claimed the vacant 155lb strap – which was relinquished by Khabib Nurmagomedov last October – in the early hours of the morning at UFC 262 in Houston, Texas.
Do Bronx fulfilled his dream of winning gold courtesy of a second-round KO victory in front of a packed crowd at the Toyota Center.
New fan favourite Chandler immediately took the centre of the octagon but got dropped with a beautiful calf kick.
But the tide appeared to turn when the American landed a big left hook that forcedOliveira to shoot for a takedown.
Oliveira was briefly trapped in a guillotine choke but eventually managed to work his way out of the submission and get take Chandler's back.
Chandler tried to get Oliveira off his back by slamming himself to the floor but found himself in an even tighter body lock
Iron eventually exploded out of the precarious position and ended up rocking Oliveira with a huge left hand.
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The floored Brazilian somehow managed to survive the onslaught and managed to make it to the second round.
Chandler came out like a bat out of hell in the second round but got dropped with a huge counter left hook.
Oliveira, 31, sensed blood and began to unload a flurry of strikes.
Another left hook sent canvas to the canvas and a number of academic strikes brought about the beginning of the Oliveira era in the lightweight division.
A dejected Chandler said:
He said: "I think we saw one of the toughest dudes on the planet come back from adversity.
"Charles Oliveira is the real deal and I take nothing away from him. I will be back.
"I promise you I'm gonna wear that UFC strap within the next 12 months. This is a great opportunity. I thank the UFC for this opportunity.
"Charles Oliveira showed how he was a consummate professional and he showed up for the last 10, 11 years here inside the UFC octagon.
"We'll get this one back. We're gonna run this one back eventually."
Do Bronx a veteran of a whopping 28 UFC fights – went into his maiden UFC title full of confidence, saying: "He’s a very tough guy.
"He was champion at Bellator, he’s very good on his feet, has very good wrestling, but I’m not worried with what Michael Chandler can bring into the Octagon, but with what I can bring”.
He added: “In the name of God, I’m gonna get this belt.
"I want to be close to my family, my friends, the favela. I’m sure Guarujá and Brazil will come to a halt when I win.”
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