Navajo Stirling has agreed to step in on short notice to face former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
The bout will serve as the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 283 on Saturday at Belgrade Arena in Serbia.
Stirling, who holds a perfect 10-0 MMA record and 5-0 in the UFC, accepted the fight with less than three weeks' notice.
He replaced Bogdan Guskov, who was moved to fight Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Fight Night 282.
Blachowicz, with a professional record of 29-11-2, is looking for his first win since May 2022.
In his last four outings, he has two losses and two draws, including a majority draw against Guskov at UFC 323 in December.
Stirling has finished his last two opponents, Bruno Lopes and Ion Cutelaba, both by second-round stoppage.
Despite the short preparation, he expressed confidence, citing his consistent training and a recent camp in Japan.
“I’d just come off holiday mode in Japan,” Stirling said. “I’m always training in the gym despite whatever I’m doing.
That’s my routine.”
He added, “I just came off the best camp of my life, so why wouldn’t I take it?”
Stirling acknowledged the step up in competition against a seasoned veteran like Blachowicz. He was also surprised to see himself as the betting favorite.
“Damn, I thought I was going to be the underdog,” Stirling said. “Maybe I got to post my clips from Japan getting on the bender (laughs).”
Blachowicz, 43, is viewed as an underdog by oddsmakers.
His recent performances and age have contributed to that status, despite his experience and strong takedown skills shown against fighters like Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya.
Analysts note that while Blachowicz still has a solid takedown game, his overall offense has declined. Stirling’s youth and stamina could prove decisive over three rounds.
Stirling, a product of City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand, has emerged as a rising star in the light heavyweight division.
He follows the path of notable fighters like Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.
He emphasized his long-term development, saying, “The argument around me has always been, how good is this guy?
People ask ‘is this too soon’ and I keep pulling through.”
Stirling also addressed the team dynamic regarding title contention. He expressed no rush to challenge teammate Carlos Ulberg, the current champion.
“They’re in the later years of their careers and I can help them be the best they can be,” Stirling said.
“My time will come, there’s no rush.”
He credited lead trainer Eugene Bareman and the legacy of fighters like Adesanya for setting a blueprint he follows.
The fight is scheduled to begin around 3:10 p. m.
ET and will stream live on Paramount+.
