Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt left veteran Raphael Assuncao face down on the canvas and then falling off his stool after a devastating second-round knockout at UFC 250 on Saturday. “No Love” Garbrandt (12-3), who broke a three-fight losing streak, found the perfect counter punch against Assuncao (27-8) milliseconds before the five-minute bell. The 28-year-old American immediately walked away with his arm raised as referee Keith Peterson waved the fight off after seeing Assuncao face down on the canvas. Former bantamweight champion Garbrandt had not fought in over a year since losing to Pedro Munhoz and TJ Dillashaw twice. “It feels amazing. It’s been a journey. I went from top of world, 11-0, world champ at 25 years old – to a three-fight skid. It’s been a dream. I wanna thank everybody for sticking with me, my new coaches in [New] Jersey. The American had flirted with the idea of moving down to featherweight before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, but now seems fully focused on climbing back to the top in the 135-pound division. GUESS. WHO'S. BACK. #UFC250 pic.twitter.com/GUElD39enN — UFC (@ufc) June 7, 2020 “I’ve got the passion back in my heart, I want to get that championship strap back,” Garbrandt said. “I knew [Assuncao] was gonna come in. He started getting confident. I let him, I had a lot of good pops and movement. I knew eventually he was gonna come a little bit forward, he was really biting on the dips. I was trying to set it up but he’s so hard to set up against, so defensive. I knew the right hand would land, those inside shots are my money makers.” Assuncao, considered one of the most durable fighters on the UFC roster, was later seen swaying on his stool moments after the fight before doctors helped him to his feet. DC's reaction is all of ours! #UFC250 pic.twitter.com/9fZPF1Bif3 — UFC (@ufc) June 7, 2020 The 37-year-old Brazilian is now on a three-fight losing streak of his own having lost to Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Moraes last year. “I have to give my hat off to Mark Henry, my coaches in Jersey and Sacramento. I know I’m a skilled fighter, fast, strong, technical and I give these fights away when I brawl. I have too much fight in me, and had to get out of my comfort zone, go back to drawing board. “I’ve been through every emotion I could go through in life and my career. I’m excited to be striding forward. The bantamweight division is on fire, so many killers in this b****. So excited to get back the title.”