by Elias Cepeda, InsideFighting.com

It's time for the fight world to get used to the sound of that, at least for the time being. After stopping three-time heavyweight champion Randy Couture in the second round of their UFC 91 main event Saturday night in Las Vegas, the former NCAA wrestling champion and professional wrestler captured MMA's top prize in just his fourth career fight.

"It sounds really good. I can't believe it. I can't believe it," an exuberant Lesnar said.

After a solid back and forth technical wrestling and boxing fight in the first round, Lesnar took little time to connect with a right hand to the temple of a bobbing Couture, dropping the champion to one knee. Lesnar followed up by pressing Couture on the ground, working into the side mount and a torrent of hard hammer fists to the head. Couture forced the referee stop the fight.

Heading into the fight, Lesnar acknowledged his good fortune at getting a title shot so soon in his career. After proving that he deserved it on the merits of his ability, he remained humble.

I want to thank this guy Randy Couture," Lesnar said. "He had the balls to take a year off and take on a young guy. I've got a lot of respect for that man."

With the win, Lesnar improved his record to 3-1 and will face the winner of interim champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir sometime in 2009.

Couture, who dipped to 16-9 after this, his 16th world title fight, was quick to give Lesnar credit.

"I don't think rust was a factor at all ... those are some big a** ham hocks, and it's hard to get out of the way of those," Couture said in front of his hometown crowd.

Couture was not committal about his future immediately after the disappointing loss. Asked by interviewer Joe Rogan if he'd go on fighting or perhaps drop down to light heavyweight, where he twice captured gold, Couture said, "I don't know."

"We'll let things settle out and figure out what I want to do."

Contract disputes with the UFC had kept Couture out of the ring since August 2007 when he successfully defended his title over Gabriel Gonzaga.

Florian earns top challenger spot

Kenny Florian wanted to remove all doubt that he was the rightful No. 1 contender to lightweight champion BJ Penn and he surely did so Saturday night at UFC 91 with an absolutely dominating first-round submission win over former title challenger Joe Stevenson. The two fighters came out measuring one another momentarily before Stevenson charged in with punches and followed them with a takedown attempt.

But Florian was able to peel Stevenson's hold on his legs and restart in the center of the cage. Soon, it was Florian that lifted Stevenson up into the air and slammed him to the ground, landing in side control.

And that's when the Sidyodtong fighter took complete control, moving to a knee on stomach position before sliding into the full mount and unleashing punches on Stevenson's head. Stevenson turned to defend but gave up his back and soon Florian had a rear naked choke sunk in, making Stevenson tap moments later.

Post fight, Florian knew what he had just done and what he now deserves a shot at.

"I wanted to make a statement," Florian said afterwards. "I want BJ's belt!"