Brunson came out all guns blazing and his strategy was working initially as a series of punches caught Whittaker off guard and trapped on the fence.

But the American became reckless and started leading with his chin. Brunson aimed to knock Whittaker out early, but his strategy back-fired disastrously.

Brunson lost composure, forgot tactics and became sloppy as the fight progressed.

Whittaker weathered the storm, put his hands up, waited for his opening, and was ready when it came.

First, the New South Welshman rocked his opponent with a huge punch to the face that caused a closure of his right eye.

Moments later, Whittaker executed a precise head kick which dazed Brunson.

The Australian then delivered a bone-jarring upper cut which saw the No.8 middleweight contender fall to the ground.

From there, a flurry of punches from Whittaker forced referee Herb Dean to end the fight with 54 seconds left in the first round.

A jubilant Whittaker said he expected the early onslaught from Brunson.

"I had a solid game plan and knew he was going to come out tough, but I had no idea he was going to come out that hard," Whittaker told Fox Sports post-fight.

"I knew I had to weather the storm, he's a heavy hitter. I tried to duck and weave as much as I could but I stuck to the game plan, I stuck to my set-up, I ended up breaking out, circling out, and working to his weakness.

"He hits hard, very hard - his other opponents would testify to that - but I hit hard too. I'm just as fast and I'm just as strong and if you come at me with holes in your game, I'm going to take the win."

Whittaker has now won his last six fights in a row – including his last five in the middleweight division – and is surely due to fight a top-five contender next.

Only Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero (eight) has a longer winning streak in the weight division than the Australian.

"I've been in the top 10 for a long while now. I've tried to demonstrate my ability every time I step in here and make an example," he said.

"I'm ready for those top-five contenders. I'm ready for my shot."

It was a mixed day for Australia with UFC debutants Alex Volkanovski and Tyson Pedro joining Whittaker in the winners' circle along with Damien Brown and Dan Kelly.

Compatriots Jake Matthews, Kyle Noke and Rich Walsh all lost their bouts.