New Zealand’s rising UFC light heavyweight contender Navajo Stirling has accepted the biggest challenge of his professional career, stepping in on less than three weeks’ notice to face former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz in the co-main event of UFC Belgrade on 1 August.
The fight came together after Błachowicz’s original opponent, Bogdan Guskov, was moved to another event to challenge for the UFC light heavyweight title. The late change opened the door for Stirling, who has quickly established himself as one of the promotion’s fastest-rising prospects.
The undefeated Lower Hutt-born fighter takes a perfect 10-0 professional record into the bout and has won all five of his UFC appearances since joining the organisation. Training out of Auckland’s renowned City Kickboxing, Stirling has built momentum with consecutive knockout victories, most recently stopping Ion Cutelaba in an impressive second-round finish.
Standing across the Octagon will be one of the division’s most accomplished veterans. Poland’s Jan Błachowicz is a former UFC light heavyweight champion who famously defended his title against New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya in 2021. Although the 43-year-old has not recorded a victory since 2022, he remains one of the division’s most respected competitors and brings a wealth of championship experience.
The contest represents a major opportunity for Stirling to fast-track his rise through the rankings. A victory over a former world champion would likely propel the Kiwi into title contention and cement his status among the UFC’s elite at 205 pounds.
For New Zealand mixed martial arts, the fight continues the strong presence of City Kickboxing on the world stage. The Auckland gym has produced champions and contenders across multiple weight divisions, and Stirling now has the chance to add another significant chapter to that legacy.
UFC Belgrade marks the promotion’s first-ever event in Serbia, with Stirling and Błachowicz serving as the co-main event on a card expected to attract global attention.
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