Charles Oliveira of Brazil celebrates after defeating Dustin Poirier to defend his lightweight title during the UFC 269 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
Charles Oliveira’s first defense of his UFC lightweight title was one to remember.
The native of Brazil took on one of the sport’s toughest fighters in Dustin Poirier and defeated him in a wild bout at the main event of UFC 269 in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The time of the stoppage was 1:02 of the third round as Oliveira (32-8) submitted Poirier (28-7) with a standing rear-naked choke, adding to his UFC submission record with his 14th.
The first round was a breathtaking affair, as Poirier landed the heaviest shots.But Olivera landed repeatedly both front kicks and knees to the torso. The effects of those kicks took hold in the second, as Oliveira tripped Poirier and ended up in top position, where he rained down heavy elbows over the course of several minutes.
Oliveira wasted little time sinking in the winning choke in the third to seal his 10th consecutive win.
“I’m world champion,” Oliveira said. “I’m the man. They talk, I do it.”