UFC Belgrade live blog: Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling
This is the live blog for Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling, the light heavyweight co-main event for Saturday’s UFC Belgrade card at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.
A former UFC champion, Blachowicz (29-11-2) currently stands at No. 6 at 205 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. Blachowicz fought Bogdan Guskov to a majority draw in his most recent outing and the two were supposed to rematch Saturday until Guskov was moved to a fight with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi this past weekend (Guskov replaced an injured Khalil Rountree Jr.). That unsatisfying result dropped Blachowicz to 0-2-2 in his past four fights and he hasn’t scored a win since an injury TKO over Aleksandar Rakic in 2022.
Stirling (10-0) has won his first five fights to establish himself as a future contender in the light heavyweight division. The City Kickboxing product has finished his past two opponents, but faces a huge step up in competition in Blachowicz as he strives to break into the top 10 of the rankings.
Check out the Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling live blog below.
Preamble
Well, that was terrible. This event has been pretty fun, but that feature fight got real heavyweight.
Not entirely sure this will be much better, either.
Pre Fight
Stirling walks out to some very somber music. He looks normal. Jan looks a little nervy as he walks? Also, Jon Anik says something about him being unable to lift weights during camp, and now he’s seeming like an old man.
Even still, the old man is a saavy fighter. I suspect he uglies this fight up, slows it down, and loses on points.
Jan is 15 years older, 2 inches shorter, and a big dog at +265 with Stirling coming in at -340.
Buffer gets things going and it’s time.
Round 1
Jan out quickly to the center. Stirling with some lead leg kicks early, just small. Then he goes high and slips, allowing Jan to jump on him. But Stirling scrambles up and now they’re clinched against the fence, with Stirling holding Jan.
In-fighting here but now major gains. Stirling with more inside calf kicks, staying busy. Jan trying to walk him down but hasn’t thrown much.
OH! Stirling drops to a knee and it looks like Jan caught him with a big left hand as he stepped in. Jan tries to pound but Stirling clinches to buy time. He seems to be OK but he had to work it out. Stirling on his bike now, and he’s bleeding from the nose as Jan comes forward. But Stirling is getting busier now, with a sharp jab.
OHHHHHHH!
HUGE RIGHT HAND from Stirling lands clean and sends Blachowicz to the mat! The commentary is quiet but this might be the end for Jan! Stirling pounces and he’s pouring on the ground-and-pound! And that’s it!
WOW. What a performance from Navajo Stirling!
Official Decision
Navajo Stirling def. Jan Blachowicz via TKO (punches) — 2:56, Round 1.
Post Fight
Stirling keeps it simple in his post fight. He shouts out Blachowicz, saying he’s a big fan. Then apologizes for missing his sister’s 21st birthday. Then calls for a fight with either Khalil Rountree of Paulo Costa.
