With a fantastic performance over Rashad Evans, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida becomes the UFC's new Light-Heavyweight Champion. Machida knocked Evans out early in the second round after landing a left to the chin of  that gave the undefeated champion his first loss.

The fight began with the two undefeated fighters sizing each others' range and timing. Evans and Machida danced at a distance for two minutes before Machida landed the first strike of the match, a head-kick that stumbled Evans. Evans rushed in with a flurry of punches, but none landed effectively. The two continued to circle until Machida landed a left body kick followed by a straight left that dropped Evans. Machida jumped on top and began a flurry of head shots as Evans worked his way back up to his feet. The two continued at a distance as Machida throws two more head-kicks to close out the round.

The second round began with Machida throwing another set of body-kicks before attempting a takedown. Evans fights him off and throws an overhand right that is short and misses. Machida takes advantage and flurries straight in with punches, but Evans backed him up with several continuous short rights. Machida throws right and left high kicks that are both avoided by Evans before he eventually landed a stunning straight left followed by a combination that sent Evans down to the canvas again. Machida landed a series of lefts before Evans tried to get up, but Evans was thrown down again by Machida as he continued to throw uppercuts to finish Evans. Machida landed another left that put Evans down on a knee, as Evans was fighting with a huge heart to stay in the fight.

Evans made it to his feet only to dodge looping punches from Machida. Machida backs him up against the cage and lands a hard body kick followed by more punches. Evans was hurt and leaning against the cage when Machida landed a hard overhand right and then a short left hook that crumbled Evans to the cage floor for the final time of the match.

Lyoto Machida knocks out Rashad Evans and becomes the UFC's new Light Heavyweight Champion.