AUSTIN, Texas – Curtis Millender hit a home run in his UFC debut by scoring a brutal knockout win over former title challenger Thiago Alves on Sunday at UFC Fight Night 126.

It was a scintillating performance from the octagon newcomer, who overwhelmed a far more experience and established opponent in Alves (22-12 MMA, 14-9 UFC) with what looked like a relatively easy second-round finish. After such a slick showing, Millender (15-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) knew what was coming his way during his post-fight media rounds, including being asked what’s next for him in the welterweight division.

Millender had a name ready, and even better than that, a reason for it. “Curtious” is a wrestling fan, which is why he wants to avenge ex-WWE star Phil “CM Punk” Brooks (0-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and take out Mickey Gall (4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC).

“I would like to beat up Mickey Gall,” Millender told MMAjunkie post-fight. “I’m a huge WWE fan, big CM Punk fan, so I’d love to beat up Mickey Gall for that.”

UFC Fight Night 126 took place at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Millender’s victory over Alves aired on the FS1-televised portion of the card following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Although Millender entered the event on the heels of two highlight-reel head-kick knockouts, he was still the underdog against Alves. He looked like a heavy favorite inside the octagon, though, and battered Alves in the first round before putting “The Pitbull” down with a fight-ending knee in the second.

The standout effort was rewarded with a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.

“I knew this was coming,” Millender said. “I worked really hard. I have a canteen of water that I drink every day, and every fight I write my goals on it. And it says that I’m going to knock him out in the second round. I’m going to tweet it when I get home and see that the marker is fading. I work hard, and when I say I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it.”

Of Millender’s first 12 wins, 10 came by decision. Since then, though, he’s rattled off three consecutive knockouts, with the finish of Alves his crowning achievement thus far.

Millender’s size and length are greater than most 170-pounders, and he expects it to problematic for future opponents – ideally, Gall. But if the UFC won’t book it, he’ll accept anyone on the roster.

“Easy breezy; I want to fight everybody,” Millender said. “I want to be the best in the world, and to do that, I’ve got to be up there. I’ve got my welterweight hit list. Thiago’s first; anybody can get it next.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 126, check out the UFC Events section of the site.