Vera scores highlight-reel finish vs. Edgar

Marlon "Chito" Vera earned the biggest win of his career Saturday in emphatic fashion.

Vera knocked out Frankie Edgar with a front kick to the head at the 3:50 mark during the third round of a bantamweight fight at UFC 268 in New York.

The referee did not allow Vera to land ground-and-pound after he dropped Edgar with the kick, waving off the fight immediately.

Edgar - a former UFC lightweight champion - started strong against Vera, securing a takedown and controlling his opponent for most of the first round. The second stanza was closer, with Edgar landing another takedown, but Vera returned to his feet midway through and tagged Edgar on the feet.

In Round 3, Vera appeared to land the more damaging strikes - and might've been en route to winning a decision anyway - before putting Edgar's lights out.

The Ecuador native, who entered as the No. 13-ranked bantamweight, will likely move into the top 10 after taking out No. 8 Edgar. Vera is now riding a two-bout winning streak.

Edgar dropped down to 135 pounds in 2020 after a lengthy stint at featherweight. The 40-year-old moves to 1-2 in the division, edging Pedro Munhoz in his debut before suffering a devastating knockout loss to Cory Sandhagen earlier in 2021.