Condit vs. Diaz Results: Victory Proves Stephen Thompson Is Future Great

As a karate expert, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson had plenty of hype surrounding him as he made his UFC debut on Saturday night vs. Dan Stittgen in a welterweight fight. Thompson was incredibly impressive and looks to have a very bright future with the company.

Stittgen was certainly a quality opponent, but Thompson had little trouble disposing of him as he knocked him out cold with a kick to the head near the end of the first round. Few are as decorated as Thompson in the art of karate, so he has a rare skill set that can take him far.

Thompson holds a career kickboxing record of 56-0 and it seems as though he will put that experience to good use in mixed martial arts. Thompson was compared favorably to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida during the fight due to his prowess in karate.

Obviously, Thompson has a long way to go before he can get to the level of Machida, but there is nothing that suggests that he can't ultimately do it. Thompson has been successful at every level of combat he has competed in, and the UFC will be no different.

He still has a lot of experience to gain in terms of mixed martial arts, but if he continues to impress, then he should move up the ladder quickly.

Because of his deadly kicks, Thompson looks as if he can stand and strike with almost any fighter in the business, and that makes him very dangerous.

Machida and a few others have very educated feet, but it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Thompson is already one of the best, if not the best kicker in UFC already.

Stittgen is a tough guy who normally doesn't go down easily, but Thompson made him look like a rag doll as he had his way with him.

It's important not to crown fighters early in their careers since there have been so many that have crumbled under the pressure of expectations, but Thompson doesn't seem as though he would let something like that get to him.

Thompson may be a UFC rookie, but when it comes to fighting, he is a veteran. There isn't much of a learning curve when it comes to Thompson, and because of that, he will be a major player in UFC.