Navajo Stirling Stops Jan Blachowicz in 2:56, Calling for Top-205 Fights

Q: After stopping Jan Blachowicz in Serbia, should Navajo Stirling jump straight into the UFC’s top five?

Yes — Stirling has a strong case to move into the UFC light heavyweight top five, though not necessarily into immediate title contention. The win matters because it was not just another prospect victory. He stopped Jan Blachowicz, a former champion with elite-level experience against names such as Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. Even at 43, Blachowicz was still ranked near the top of the division and coming off competitive results rather than a long losing skid. Beating that kind of opponent on short notice is usually enough to trigger a major rankings jump. Stirling’s broader résumé also supports it. He is now 11-0, has won six straight since joining the UFC pathway, and has recent stoppages over Ion Cutelaba, Bruno Lopes and now Blachowicz. He was already hovering around the edge of the rankings before Belgrade, and this was the kind of breakthrough result that separates a prospect from a contender. There is still a fair argument for caution. Blachowicz’s age, mileage and recent uneven form mean this is not the same as beating a prime top-five fighter. Stirling also has not yet faced the division’s strongest current group such as Ankalaev, Pereira, Prochazka or other established contenders in their peak years. So the most reasonable view is that Stirling should jump into the No. 4 or No. 5 range, then face another elite contender next. That would reward the result without rushing him straight into a title shot.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · Aug 1

2:56 into Round 1, Navajo Stirling finished former champion Jan Blachowicz by TKO at UFC Fight Night 283 in Belgrade, breaking through against the biggest name of his light heavyweight run.
A massive early left hand sent Blachowicz across the cage, and Stirling followed with slicing elbows until the referee stepped in.
Less than two weeks after accepting the bout as a replacement for Bogdan Guskov, Stirling improved to 11-0 in MMA and 6-0 in the UFC.
Post-fight, Stirling praised the 43-year-old Blachowicz's contributions to the division before calling out Khalil Rountree or Paulo Costa as he pushes toward a 205-pound title shot.