Sean Strickland defeated Isreal Adeanya to become the new middleweight champion of the world with all judges scoring the fight in this favour.
A first-round knock down by the American was the highlight of the fight that went the whole five rounds.
At the sold-out Qudos Bank Arena, Strickland landed several stinging punches to the head and had Adesanya on the back foot throughout.
“Never in a million years did I think I would be here,” said Strickland, who inflicted New Zealander Adesanya’s third defeat from 27 fights.
“I thought I would be walking away a little broken up. I’m a little shocked that didn’t happen.
“This is the first time I’m lost for words.”
Strickland, who caused controversy ahead of the fight with misogynistic comments about putting women back in the kitchen, agreed to fight on late notice after Adesanya’s South African rival Dricus du Plessis was unavailable.
Fifth-ranked Strickland earned his title shot after wins over Abus Magomedov and Nassourdine Imavov.
