Derek Brunson KO's Lyoto Machida, Covington rips Woodley following win over Maia

Derek Brunson sent an emphatic statement to the middleweight division on Saturday as he earned a devastating first round knockout against former champion Lyoto Machida in the main event for UFC Fight Night from Brazil.

Brunson has now earned first round knockouts in each of his last six wins with Machida’s name being the latest to join his resume.

Following a patient start to the fight, Brunson finally opened up with his offense as he started winging left hands directly at Machida’s head during an exchange on the feet.

One left hook found its home as Machida was left on rubber legs before Brunson put him down on the canvas where he started unloading with a series of punches that left the Brazilian completely unconscious.

WATCH FOR THE HOOK! Derek Brunson finishes Lyoto Machida early in round one! #UFCSP https://t.co/JEiQckDhsG

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) October 29, 2017

Brunson stood to celebrate as the Brazilian crowd was left silent after watching Machida lose his third straight fight including two by way of knockout.

Afterwards, Brunson turned his attention to another former champion, who he’d like to see in the Octagon in the near future.

“Luke Rockhold, what’s up baby? Where you at?” Brunson shouted. “Let’s run this!”

COLBY COVINGTON BEATS DEMIAN MAIA, BLASTS BRAZIL AND TYRON WOODLEY

The win moved Brunson to 7-2 over his past nine fights with his only losses coming to current interim champion Robert Whittaker and former middleweight king Anderson Silva.

While Brunson quieted the raucous crowd in Brazil, upstart welterweight contender Colby Covington had to be rushed out of the arena after he unleashed on the home fans following his unanimous decision win over Demian Maia in the co-main event.

It was a bit of a rough start for Covington as he ate several left hands from Maia including one shot that opened a nasty cut just under his eyebrow that began leaking blood onto his face.

To his credit, Covington made the necessary adjustments and dominated the final 10 minutes of the fight while stuffing all 13 of Maia’s takedown attempts and battering the former title contender on the feet. By the end of the third round, Maia’s face was painted red with all the blood he spilled as Covington celebrated the biggest win of his career.

The win wasn’t enough for Covington, however, as he then taunted the Brazilian crowd while also sending a rather loud message to welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.

“Brazil, you’re a dump. All you filthy animals suck,” Covington shouted. “I got one thing to say — Tyron Woodley, I’m coming for you. If you don’t answer the front door, I’m going to knock it in and I’m going to take what’s mine, that welterweight belt.”