In the meantime, ‘Poatan’ had continued his rapid ascent since transitioning from kickboxing, joining the select group of two-weight UFC champions by defeating Jiri Prochazka in November in just his eleventh fight as a mixed martial artist.

From the opening bell at the T-Mobile Arena, Pereira stalked the challenger, wading forward with little consideration for Hill’s striking power.

Alex Pereira defeated Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 main event to defend his light heavyweight title for the first time

But Pereira insisted he wanted to continue, and just seconds later landed his signature left hook to send Hill to the canvas

The 36-year-old followed up with a series on punches on the ground to secure the fifth KO win of his UFC career

A feeling out process between the two fighters ensued as Hill attempted to land kicks on the open side in the southpaw vs orthodox matchup.

Pereira combined jabs to the body with his patented low kicks to force Hill back towards the Octagon fence before a kick from the American was ruled low by referee Herb Dean who briefly called for a pause in the action.

The defending champion immediately shrugged off the intervention however, insisting that he was able to keep fighting.

Just seconds later, Pereira committed to throwing his devastating lead left hook for the first time in the fight, with the strike landing perfectly on Hill’s jaw and sending him crashing to the canvas.

An early kick from Hill landed on the champion’s belt line, causing referee Herb Dean to order a pause in the action

The showdown marked just the twelfth fight of Pereira’s extraordinary MMA career since transitioning from kickboxing

The challenger recovered admirably as Pereira followed him down to the mat but the Brazilian’s onslaught proved too great and the fight was stopped at 3:14 of the first round.

Following the fight Pereira detailed his ambition to become the promotion’s first-ever three-weight world champion, adding that he would like to make his heavyweight debut at the UFC’s pay-per-view event in Rio de Janeiro.

Such a move could set up a showdown with current interim heavyweight king Tom Aspinall, a bout that had at one time been rumoured to take place at this event.