Perennial UFC lightweight contender Rafael dos Anjos proved on Saturday night that he’s still one of the best at 155 pounds when he scored a stunning knockout over Benson Henderson at UFC Fight Night 49.

RDA scored his second straight knockout after a lopsided decision loss to unbeaten Russian grappler Khabib Nurmagomedov in April.

The Brazilian used a pressure boxing game, as well as great takedown defense, to keep Henderson out of his comfort zone.

Just minutes into the opening frame, Dos anjos scored with a picture-perfect double flying knee and had the former champion visibly rattled.

“Bendo” tried to recover by shooting a desperate takedown, but the Kings MMA standout wasn’t having it, dropping his Octagon adversary with a perfect timed left hook on the way back up from the mat.

It only took a couple strikes on the ground before referee “Big” John McCarthy waived the fight off.

While Henderson, as well as some pundits, protested the stoppage, it was clear that he was unconscious – at least momentarily – when he hit the ground.

Entering the bout as the No. 5 lightweight in the world, according to the UFC’s official rankings, is the winner of seven of his past eight fights – boasting a 3-1 mark in the past year.

After riding an eight-fight win streak between April 2011 and April 2013, Henderson is now just 2-2 in his past four contests – getting finished in both losses.

Henderson, the No. 1 lightweight prior to the defeat, will likely now see himself outside the UFC title picture at 155 pounds for the first time in about three years.