Jacare Souza carries on his ascend atop the list of UFC middleweight championship challengers as he submits Gegard Mousasi in a non-title bout at the Foxwoods Resort in Ledyard, Connecticut. Fight Night 50 was attended by no less than reigning champ Chris Weidman.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belter used his impressive ground game to become the most logical choice to face the winner of the Dec. 6 title bout between Weidman and Vitor Belfort. Even after the win, UFC promoter Dana White would not yet commit to a title bout assurance for Jacare. In every round he pinned Mousasi down to the Octagon and 90 seconds in the third round, Souza finally got the win via a guillotine choke.

"If anyone doubted if I'm ready for the title, they are completely wrong", Souza said. "Lyoto fought this guy for five rounds. I finished him".

He quickly pointed out how he took out his opponent in three rounds while Lyoto Machinda needed a full five rounds to win over his opponent via a unanimous decision in February. It was a sweet victory for the 34-year-old fighter as he avenged a 2008 loss to Mousasi who knocked him out with an upkick when they rumbled in Saitama, Japan.

This time around the Brazilian showed his improvement on all fronts, his judo and jiu-jitsu were all in full display as he dominated all rounds. He used strike backs to put Souza on his back for most of the match. And when his opponent was down, he had a lot of trouble getting up with a relentless Souza always looking for the finish. The Kimura attempts were fended off by Mousasi early on but a guillotine choke just 30 seconds before the third round ended did him in.

Souza is hoping that his impressive win will silence doubters and place him for a chance for the belt. This now improves his UFC record to an immaculate 4-0 as he awaits the anointment to grant him the coveted title fight. White quipped after the match that Souza is at least one fight away from a title match.