Navajo Stirling
New Zealand
Perfect record remains
Stirling defeated Ion Cutelaba via TKO (strikes) at 3:32 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
This was a good test for Stirling. Cutelaba was the best opponent he had faced by a country mile, but as a top prospect, this was a fight he should have won and he did just that. It didn't come easy. Stirling had to fight off a very deep choke attempt early on. He also allowed Cutelaba to allow 5-of-7 takedown attempts. Predictably, Stirling dominated at distance and won virtually all the striking exchanges between the two. Navajo is an excellent athlete and at 6-foot-4, has an ideal frame light heavyweight. The 205-pound division needs all the high-end depth it can find and Striling certainly looks like he falls into that category after five undefeated UFC bouts.
This was a good test for Stirling. Cutelaba was the best opponent he had faced by a country mile, but as a top prospect, this was a fight he should have won and he did just that. It didn't come easy. Stirling had to fight off a very deep choke attempt early on. He also allowed Cutelaba to allow 5-of-7 takedown attempts. Predictably, Stirling dominated at distance and won virtually all the striking exchanges between the two. Navajo is an excellent athlete and at 6-foot-4, has an ideal frame light heavyweight. The 205-pound division needs all the high-end depth it can find and Striling certainly looks like he falls into that category after five undefeated UFC bouts.
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Scheduled against Cutelaba
Stirling will fight fellow light heavyweight Ion Cutelaba at UFC Vegas 119 on June 20, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Stirling will attempt to log his 10th consecutive pro win in June. Having defeated Bruno Lopes in March, he takes on a fellow light heavyweight who submitted Oumar Sy that same month. It will be a battle between two in-form fighters looking to stop the other's tracks.
Stirling will attempt to log his 10th consecutive pro win in June. Having defeated Bruno Lopes in March, he takes on a fellow light heavyweight who submitted Oumar Sy that same month. It will be a battle between two in-form fighters looking to stop the other's tracks.
Remains undefeated as pro
Stirling defeated Bruno Lopes via TKO (strikes) at 4:05 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
An athletic 6-foot-4 kickboxer with real finishing power, the UFC continues to wisely take things slow with Stirling, which is the correct move considering he is 28 years old and has all of nine professional fights under his belt. He was a massive (-775) favorite here against Lopes and easily handled business, picking his opponent apart on the feet throughout before the fight-altering blows began to connect midway through Round 2. Navajo has a boatload of potential, in addition to getting elite training every single day with the crew at City Kickboxing. He's a real prospect in a division that needs all the young depth it can find.
An athletic 6-foot-4 kickboxer with real finishing power, the UFC continues to wisely take things slow with Stirling, which is the correct move considering he is 28 years old and has all of nine professional fights under his belt. He was a massive (-775) favorite here against Lopes and easily handled business, picking his opponent apart on the feet throughout before the fight-altering blows began to connect midway through Round 2. Navajo has a boatload of potential, in addition to getting elite training every single day with the crew at City Kickboxing. He's a real prospect in a division that needs all the young depth it can find.
Taking on Lopes
Stirling will face Bruno Lopes in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Seattle on March 28, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Stirling is off to an excellent start in the UFC, boasting a perfect 3-0 record after his first three bouts. Most recently, he disposed of Rodolfo Bellato via unanimous decision back in September. His next challenge comes in the form of Lopes, who is 1-1 in the promotion after winning his debut fight but dropping his most recent bout at the hands of Dustin Jacoby.
Stirling is off to an excellent start in the UFC, boasting a perfect 3-0 record after his first three bouts. Most recently, he disposed of Rodolfo Bellato via unanimous decision back in September. His next challenge comes in the form of Lopes, who is 1-1 in the promotion after winning his debut fight but dropping his most recent bout at the hands of Dustin Jacoby.
Remains undefeated as pro
Stirling defeated Rodolfo Bellato via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
The UFC continues to match Stirling up against lower-level competition, and he continues to get the job done, albeit in somewhat underwhelming fashion. This certainly never felt like a fight in which Navajo was ever at risk of losing, but he let his foot off the gas a bit in Round 2, allowing Bellato to work his way back into the bout. The fact Stirling has now gone to a decision against Bellato, Ivan Erslan and and Tuco Tokkos in his three official fights with the company isn't a great sign for when he starts getting matched up against better opposition.
The UFC continues to match Stirling up against lower-level competition, and he continues to get the job done, albeit in somewhat underwhelming fashion. This certainly never felt like a fight in which Navajo was ever at risk of losing, but he let his foot off the gas a bit in Round 2, allowing Bellato to work his way back into the bout. The fact Stirling has now gone to a decision against Bellato, Ivan Erslan and and Tuco Tokkos in his three official fights with the company isn't a great sign for when he starts getting matched up against better opposition.
Booked for Perth
Stirling will fight Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Perth on Sep. 27, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Stirling will aim to stay perfect as he faces off in his third UFC match come September. The 6-foot-4 light heavyweight is currently 7-0 professionally and 2-0 in the UFC, so he his reputation will be at stake in Perth. Stirling will take on Bellato, who hasn't lost in the UFC but is 1-0-2 in his three matches.
Stirling will aim to stay perfect as he faces off in his third UFC match come September. The 6-foot-4 light heavyweight is currently 7-0 professionally and 2-0 in the UFC, so he his reputation will be at stake in Perth. Stirling will take on Bellato, who hasn't lost in the UFC but is 1-0-2 in his three matches.