Alex Pereira retained his UFC light-heavyweight title by stopping Khalil Rountree in four rounds at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
The Brazilian survived a scare in the second round after being dropped a counter right hand.
Pereira, 37, recovered and resumed methodically breaking Rountree down, eventually finishing the bloodied and exhausted American with an uppercut.
With the victory, Pereira sets a new record in the UFC with the shortest period between three consecutive defences.
The record was previously held by UFC legend Ronda Rousey, but with defences in April, June and at UFC 307, Pereira has successfully defended his title three times in just 175 days.
Pereira maintains his position as one of the most feared strikers in the UFC, with four stoppage victories in a row.
His run in 2024 includes two former champions in Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka, but found a game opponent in Rountree.
“I can say that this was one of the toughest fights,” Pereira said afterwards.
“I expected that. He showed tonight why he’s got so much quality in here.”
The former middleweight champion had teased a move up to heavyweight or back down to middleweight, but said in his post-fight interview he was staying at 205lb (14st 6lb, 93kg).
“I can move up to heavyweight but this division is great and this is where I am at,” he said.
Pereira improved his record to 12 wins and just two losses while Rountree picked up his sixth defeat in 19 fights.