Just as UFC Fight Night 30 was losing steam, Lyoto Machida made an explosive statement. Cutting down to 185 pounds for the first time, the former UFC light heavyweight champion dropped Mark Munoz with a one-shot head kick knockout midway through the first round at Manchester's Phones 4u Arena, cementing himself as a contender not to be trifled with at his new weight class.

Machida's performance revived what had been an otherwise sluggish main card, as Ryan Jimmo's crippling second-round injury brought his contest against Jimi Manuwa to a premature end, just as Melvin Guillard's illegal knees on Ross Pearson ended the night's co-main event in an anticlimactic no contest. Nonetheless, "The Dragon" is once again a title contender, this time in a fresh new division, and the future at 185 looks interesting, to say the least.

KO happened with the body kick cuz Machida feinted w/kick prior & Mark's hands went low. Head kick came later because of it. Impressive! — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 26, 2013

There was something truly special that happened after that Kick. #Respect that's what it's all about. — Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) October 26, 2013

I guess machida buying dinner — glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) October 26, 2013

Very happy and proud to see @lyotomachidafw win but it crushed me to see @mark_munoz get knocked out. I love both of these guys. #greatguys — Ed Soares (@edblackhouse) October 26, 2013

It's nice to have another great fighter added to MW division. Very exciting! Making MW even more interesting! — Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 26, 2013

Machida is the man! But really wanted the Filipino wrecking ball pull through! Damn! — Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) October 26, 2013

Beautiful technique and sportsmanship. It's hard to fight a friend. — Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) October 26, 2013

Machida earns his 12th knockdown of an opponent and gains sole possession of 4th place in UFC history. He passed JDS. #UFCFightNight — Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) October 26, 2013

Boa @lyotomachidafw calou a nova desses pela sacos!!! — Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) October 26, 2013

Gotta love that southpaw left high kick.... — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) October 26, 2013

Lyoto Machida is all class... I know some douchebag fighters out there that would take advantage of that opportunity. — Michael Guymon (@JokerGuymon) October 26, 2013

Lyoto looked amazing at 185 — Jedi Master Tank (@TankScogginsMMA) October 26, 2013

Congratulations @lyotomachidafw #MMA is evolving but you proved old school karate/martial arts strikes have their place in the @ufc octagon — Duke Roufus (@dukeroufus) October 26, 2013

TOUGH CALL WITH AN AWFUL RULE

Those knees were legal. This had potential to be a really good fight. Let's see what happens next. DC — Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 26, 2013

Okay maybe the 2nd knee was texting and driving ... Illegal ! #UFCFightNight31 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) October 26, 2013

If the kick or knee is initiated before the hand is on the ground the blow is legal"@MMAdamMartin: @luke4MMA ask @JohnMcCarthyMMA about that — Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) October 26, 2013

what's the call on that one?? I say it's legal and game on!! Solid knees by @Young__Assassin — Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) October 26, 2013

The 2nd knee wasn't illegal. There weren't three point on the ground. Just 2. His left foot and right hand... I think. @joerogan @danawhite — Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) October 26, 2013

If knee is being thrown & hand THEN touches the ground before knee lands, the knee should be legal. Those are the rules #UFCManchester2013 — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 26, 2013

STORMIN' NORMAN DOES IT AGAIN

Fuck yea Mr. Norman Parke !!!!! — Brandon Vera (@Verafied) October 26, 2013

Don't call yourself super saiyan if you gas after the 1st round. — Jedi Master Tank (@TankScogginsMMA) October 26, 2013

Thanks for the support! I wanted the finish but he was tough.. Hope u guys enjoyed the fight tho!#stormdamage #3-0 — STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) October 26, 2013

MUSOKE ROLLS IN DEBUT

LINEKER OVERWHELMS

Sorry guys got caught with a nice shot — Phil Harris ufc (@Philharrismma) October 26, 2013

Hey @DanaWhite & @seanshelby I'm looking forward to helping Lineker make the championship weight of 125.00lbs at @AmericanTopTeam. — Mike DOLCE (@TheDolceDiet) October 26, 2013

BIG AL CALLS HIS SHOT

@ALIAQUINTA congrats buddy good job! — Costas Philippou (@Philippou185UFC) October 26, 2013

The gangsta in me wants to rip into you because I keeps it real but I'm going to be professional and say bring it my brotha @ALIAQUINTA — Anthony Njokuani (@anthonynjoku) October 26, 2013

Dude I'm in Paris TEACHING SEMINARS CAN YOU WAIT UNTIL I GET BACK INTO THE STATES! @ALIAQUINTA HAHAHAHAHA — Anthony Njokuani (@anthonynjoku) October 26, 2013

Lol... Dude just woke up the sleeping tiger because I'm about to put the paws on this mofo. @ALIAQUINTA — Anthony Njokuani (@anthonynjoku) October 26, 2013

Thanks to @ALIAQUINTA the frenchy are about to get worked like. — Anthony Njokuani (@anthonynjoku) October 26, 2013

TUF 17 LIVES ON

Huge congrats to my #TeamDarkside English Brother @LukeBarnatt on his 2nd rd submission. So Proud! More proof of how talented #TUF17 was — Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) October 26, 2013

Just watched my bro fight unbelievable bro :) @LukeBarnatt pic.twitter.com/bbOD5ARCuf — Dylan Andrews (@dylanthevillian) October 26, 2013

@LukeBarnatt work hard win easy!! Congrats brother!!! — Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) October 26, 2013

@LukeBarnatt great job I didn't see the fight but saw the stats congrats — Clint Hester (@clinthester) October 26, 2013

So happy that both @LukeBarnatt and @NicoMusoke got the W tonight. And in such a devestating fashion. Inspired and eager to fight again! — Tor Troeng (@ThorTheHammer) October 26, 2013

@aHIGHLIGHTcraig FOTN... You are buying dinner when I get back. — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) October 26, 2013

I'm all good everyone. Thanks for the love. Just a little heartbroken. LOTS to improve upon. Time to explore foggy London Town. — Andrew Craig (@aHIGHLIGHTcraig) October 26, 2013

@LukeBarnatt @ufc Congrats you one-two'ing son of a gun. Great fight. Hope your fists are okay... — Andrew Craig (@aHIGHLIGHTcraig) October 26, 2013

GUTTING IT OUT TO THE BITTER END

Good job @JessicaMMApro & @RosiSexton you set the bar high for toughness! You 2 have my respect. #ufcfightnightmanchester — LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) October 26, 2013

Well, that didn't really go to plan. Thanks to everyone for all the support, it's much appreciated. — Rosi Sexton (@RosiSexton) October 26, 2013

ONE MORE FOR MILLER

@colemillerATT nice work brother. that's 9 UFC wins..imressive — Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) October 26, 2013