Navajo Stirling
New Zealand
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.
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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.
Remains perfect in UFC
Stirling defeated Ivan Erslan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27) at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
The final numbers of this fight were lopsided. When all was said and done, Stirling had a 110-36 edge in significant strikes landed, connected on three takedowns, and racked up 3:01 worth of control time. All that said, until the dying minutes, believe it or not, this bout was up for grabs. It was at that point Stirling picked up a knockdown and a ridiculous amount of follow-up damage. A referee more experienced than Erick Philippeaux likely would have stopped things. Stirling is still learning the finer points of MMA seven fights into his professional career, but he has an excellent frame for the light heavyweight division and has shown a willingness to mix things up when it's not going well. That's about all you can ask for at this point.
The final numbers of this fight were lopsided. When all was said and done, Stirling had a 110-36 edge in significant strikes landed, connected on three takedowns, and racked up 3:01 worth of control time. All that said, until the dying minutes, believe it or not, this bout was up for grabs. It was at that point Stirling picked up a knockdown and a ridiculous amount of follow-up damage. A referee more experienced than Erick Philippeaux likely would have stopped things. Stirling is still learning the finer points of MMA seven fights into his professional career, but he has an excellent frame for the light heavyweight division and has shown a willingness to mix things up when it's not going well. That's about all you can ask for at this point.
Facing Erslan in May
Stirling will face Ivan Erslan at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Stirling will put his perfect 6-0 professional record on the line against Erslan in his second UFC appearance. The 6-foot-4 Kiwi will look to take advantage of both height and reach advantages over the older Croatian. Stirling will need to stay weary of Erslan's stopping power, as the 33-year-old boasts an impressive 10-1 professional record in KO/TKO finishes.
Stirling will put his perfect 6-0 professional record on the line against Erslan in his second UFC appearance. The 6-foot-4 Kiwi will look to take advantage of both height and reach advantages over the older Croatian. Stirling will need to stay weary of Erslan's stopping power, as the 33-year-old boasts an impressive 10-1 professional record in KO/TKO finishes.