In the main event of UFC San Diego, Vera knocked out former two-time champion Dominick Cruz. In the fourth round, Vera landed a left kick to Cruz's head. 2:17 marks the finish.
In his postfight interview, he told the San Diego crowd he respected Cruz and that his coach told him to "throw a bomb after your punches and you'll find him." He did.
Cruz tried to duck to the right, but Vera kicked him in the head with a left combination kick, causing Cruz to fall backwards.
In the end, the crowd cheered the finish and Vera's postfight speech rather than keep silent for very long.
It was a big fight in the UFC bantamweight division. Vera ranked No. 6 and Cruz ranked No. 10 at 135 pounds.
Aljamain Sterling will defend his bantamweight title against former champ TJ Dillashaw at UFC 280 on Oct. 22. At the moment, "Chito" isn't sweating what's next.
At the end of the day, I can't control it," Vera said. "I'm not tripping." I'll keep working, I'll keep fighting. ... My goal is to become a world champion."
All three judges had Ruz ahead heading into the fourth round, 29-28, after winning the first and second rounds. Quite rightly so.
Cruz dropped Vera in the first, but he landed the cleaner and harder shots and used his footwork to stay away from Vera's power. Vera was also kept guessing by Cruz's timely takedowns.
Cruz, 37, came in on a two-fight winning streak despite several major injuries He has only ever lost to fighters who held world titles prior to Saturday: Henry Cejudo, Cody Garbrandt, and Urijah Faber