Charles Oliveira captured the vacant UFC Lightweight title with a second-round TKO victory over Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 262 in Houston, Texas.
Embed from Getty ImagesChandler started the first round in the ascendancy, but Oliveira connected with a strong left hook 19 seconds into the second round to secure victory.
The Brazilian now holds the record for the most finishes in UFC history with 17.
Oliveira becomes the undisputed Lightweight Champion after Khabib Nurmagomedov vacated the title after retiring from the sport.
Oliveira said: “I told you I was going to knock him out, and I came here and knocked him out.
“I’m proving to everybody, I’m the lion of lions.”
The former Bellator Champion was classy in defeat. “Charles Oliveira is the real deal. I take nothing away from him,” said Chandler.
UFC 262’s co-main event saw Beneil Dariush dominate former interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson.
Dariush showed his grappling supremacy by controlling Ferguson on the ground for three rounds, earning a unanimous decision victory and extending his win streak to seven.
Ferguson survived a tight heel hook in the second round. Dariush said: “He’s a zombie, no doubt about it.” Ferguson has now lost his last three fights.
Ranked No.9 in the Lightweight rankings, a victory over Ferguson puts Dariush in title contention.
“That was my 20th fight in the UFC. I would like to see myself in a title eliminator,” said Dariush.
