Alex Volkanovski scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 237, defeating Brazilian legend Jose Aldo by unanimous decision.
On enemy territory in front of a hostile Rio de Janiero crowd, the Illawarra boy won all three rounds on all three judges' scorecards.
The win paves the way for Volkanovski to get a shot at featherweight champion Max Holloway.
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On easily the biggest stage of his career, Volkanovski, 30, looked like he'd done it a million times before.
The Aussie lapped up the energy of the packed crowd at the Jeunesse Arena, appearing to enjoy every minute, from the walkout to the introductions and even the chants of "uh vai morrer!" (you will die)
Once the action got underway, it was more of the same, Volkanovski's pressure and output preventing the man many consider to be the greater 145lber of all time from building any rhythm.
When the fight got into the clinch, the strength difference was telling, Volkanovski controlling the Brazilian legend against the cage, much to the chagrin of the parochial Rio crowd.
Both fighters were happy to keep the bout on the feet, Volkanovski with his trademark high-pressure, in-your-face style, while Aldo preferred to be patient and wait for the decisive shot.
It never came.
Neither fighter ever looked like ending the bout, but once the final bell rung, despite Aldo holding his hand up in hope, there was only going to be one winner.
The BIGGEST WIN of his career!@AlexVolkanovski #UFC237 pic.twitter.com/WO7JxG87IH
— UFC Aus/New Zealand (@UFC_AUSNZ) May 12, 2019
Three 30-27 scorecards later, and the Shellharbour-native looked to have assured himself a shot at Holloway, telling Jon Anik in the post-fight interview he'd love the chance to fight the champ on the same card Sydney-sider and middleweight king Robert Whittaker meets Kiwi Israel Adesanya.
Elsewhere on the card, Jessica Andrade became the new women's strawweight champ after KOing Rose Namajunas via a second-round slam.
That looked painful. #UFC237 pic.twitter.com/zRCZi0f4QS
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) May 12, 2019
The champ dominated the first round, picking apart and damaging Andrade on the feet, though the powerful Brazilian dumped Namajunas on her head from a high-crotch takedown.
While it wasn't a good night for Middleweight legend Anderson Silva, who lost via first-round TKO after eating a Jared Cannonier kick to his knee, falling to the mat in agony as the referee stepped in.