Alex Pereira has delivered as promised.
The Brazilian phenom needed just one minute and 25 seconds to reclaim his UFC light-heavyweight belt, starching champion Magomed Ankalaev with a vicious overhand, followed by a barrage of elbows to end the Russian's reign in the blink of an eye.
After insisting he was at just 40 percent when the pair met in March, Pereira proved he was on another level in the striking department.
As for what's next for 'Stone Hands,' former title challenger Jiri Procházka thrust his name into contention earlier on the card, with a chaotic victory over Khalil Roundtree, while Kiwi Carlos Ulberg was cageside, after his destruction of Dominick Reyes in Perth last weekend.
Neither man squared off with the champion at the close of the event, Pereira instead opting to pay his respects to former champion Jon Jones, who lost his brother this week, though both now have strong cases for a shot.
Ulberg could well be next for 'Poatan', which would be just the second time a Kiwi has fought for light-heavyweight gold.
Read how the game unfolded below:
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Anakalev challenges Pereira for the light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 313 Photo: UFC
