Navajo Stirling TKOs Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade
Rising light heavyweight contender Navajo Stirling delivered a career-defining performance on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Belgrade, Serbia. Stepping in on roughly two weeks’ notice, the undefeated New Zealander scored a devastating first-round technical knockout victory against former 205-pound champion Jan Blachowicz.
The official stoppage came at 2:56 of the opening frame inside the Belgrade Arena after Stirling dropped the Polish veteran with a clean right hand and followed up with relentless ground-and-pound strikes.
The co-main event began with Blachowicz attempting to establish pressure behind heavy calf kicks and forward movement. Stirling remained composed despite an early slip, quickly regaining his footing and engaging in tight clinch exchanges along the octagon fence. Once the fighters separated, Stirling found his range and uncorked a razor-sharp right hand in the pocket that sent Blachowicz crashing to the canvas.
Stirling immediately pounced on his fallen opponent, landing unanswered strikes until the referee stepped in to save the 43-year-old former champion from further damage.
With the landmark win, Stirling maintained his spotless professional record and improved to 11-0 overall while building momentum in the division.
The 28-year-old City Kickboxing standout capitalized on the major platform, taking full advantage of the short-notice opportunity to establish himself as a premier challenger. During his post-fight interview, Stirling immediately turned his sights toward the upper echelon of the division, issuing callouts to notable contenders Khalil Rountree Jr. and Paulo Costa.
In contrast, the defeat marks another difficult setback for Blachowicz, who extended his winless streak to five consecutive bouts dating back to May 2022. The Polish veteran suffered his first knockout loss in seven years as he struggled to contend with the speed and precision of his younger rival. Stirling’s rapid triumph at UFC Belgrade firmly announces his arrival among the elite at 205 pounds, signaling a shift in the division’s competitive landscape.
