After a decade-long campaign, the 37-year-old Brit, on just 17 days notice following Chris Weidman’s injury pull-out, stunned the MMA world as he landed a flush left hook on Rockhold’s chin before applying expert ground and pound to get the job done just three minutes and 36 seconds into the fight’s opening stanza.

Rockhold, who was defending the belt for the first time since beating Weidman at UFC 194, was riding a five-fight win streak and was looking to go 2-0 against the man he choked out 16 months ago.

However, despite commanding the early exchanges, landing several trademark sharp left kicks to the body, Rockhold left himself wide open and the Clitheroe man took full advantage to be crowned the new 185lbs king.

An ecstatic Bisping described the bout as his “easiest fight” but the road to glory has been a long and arduous one having lost three title eliminators during his storied UFC career.

Rockhold was in utter disbelief after the fight that he let the third biggest upset in UFC history happen.

“I took him for granted,” the 31-year-old said.