Cain Velasquez ran straight through Brock Lesnar on his way to becoming the new UFC heavyweight champ in front of 14,000 fans at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California. Velasquez continued his undefeated run with a brutal first-round stoppage of Lesnar who was saved from further damage by referee Herb Dean at four minutes, 12 seconds of the opening round.

Lesnar started the stronger of the two fighters, charging at Velasquez at the opening bell and delivering a flying knee to catch his opponent off guard. Lesnar followed his knee with two successful takedowns but was unable to capitalise on his positional dominance with Velasquez returning to his feet with ease on each occasion.

Velasquez began to show superior striking skills midway through the round before scoring with a takedown of his own. A scramble ensued allowing Velasquez to take his opponent's back before Lesnar was able to bring the fight back to a stand-up battle.

Velasquez picked his spots and showed poise, precision and technique before landing a one-two combination that left Lesnar dazed. It was all downhill from that point as Lesnar twice lost his feet whilst attempting to avoid the heavy hands of the challenger.

Lesnar showed good skills avoiding a barrage of punches before being dropped by a right hand that signalled the end was near.

Velasquez smelt blood and immediately moved in to finish the fight.

Lesnar was pressed up against the cage, constantly trying to create distance between himself and his opponent but to no avail.

Velasquez was able to land several unanswered blows from side control as referee Dean urged Lesnar to fight back - before mercifully stopping the bout.

Velasquez jumped to his feet as the Anaheim crowd cheered and clapped their hero before Lesnar rose to his fans, a bloodied and beaten former champion. Velasquez thumped his chest before pointing to the 'brown pride' tattoo scrawled across his chest, a reference to his Mexican heritage.

With the ninth win of his career, Velasquez becomes the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent in Mixed Martial Arts or boxing. A fact that has no doubt weighed on the American Kickboxing Academy fighter leading up to the bout.

The 28-year-old, however, showed no sign of pressure as he pushed a relentless pace before Lesnar found himself unable to go toe-to-toe with the San Jose native.

"I trained for a five-round fight," Velasquez said. "I'm always ready for that. You can't expect an early stoppage."

Velasquez appeared unscathed post-fight with his opponent looking worse for wear. Lesnar showed signs of the punches he had absorbed, sporting a mouse under the right eye and a deep cut under his left.

"We expected him to come out, go hard in and go for the takedown," Velasquez said. "We were ready for that. We worked on positions, on worst-case scenarios."

Although Lesnar emerged battered and bruised he appeared upbeat and expressed humility in defeat, a trait not always associated with the former professional wrestler.

"I expected nothing less," Lesnar said. "I knew there was a great challenge in front of me. He's a great fighter. What can I say? He was better than me tonight."