UFC 143 Results: Stephen Thompson Picks Up Crucial Victory vs. Dan Stittgen

Stephen Thompson made a huge statement in his UFC debut.

“Wonderboy” knocked out Dan Stittgen in the first round with a perfectly timed and well-executed kick to the head. It was an impressive move choice for a fighter making his debut with the sport's biggest company, but it paid off in a big way for Thompson.

There were some questions about whether he could successfully make the transition to UFC after fighting lower-tier opponents to begin his career. He proved any doubters wrong, though, and made Stittgen look bad in what was also his first fight with the brand.

Thompson showed a lot of confidence inside the cage. That's something a lot of young fighters struggle with because of the obvious butterflies associated with trying to impress Dana White and Co.

Since there are no shortage of fighters attempting to reach the UFC level, the chance to prove yourself doesn't last very long. A couple poor showings will cause the company to look elsewhere; that's a lot of pressure to deal with.

It didn't seem to bother Thompson, however. He was on the attack for the entire round and proved that his future is bright. Even Joe Rogan, who has called an untold amount of fights, seemed impressed by the eye-popping knockout during the telecast.

The victory moved his career record to 6-0, with half of those wins coming via knockout. His versatility gives him a great chance to keep moving up the ranks as long as he keeps being aggressive. That was his best trait on Saturday night, and he needs to keep using it to his advantage.

Judging by his performance at UFC 143, Thompson is here to stay. He has a lot of charisma, making him a potential superstar in the making. He's definitely a name to watch in the coming months.