UFC Belgrade video: Navajo Stirling tears through Jan Blachowicz in first round, calls out Khalil Rountree and Paulo Costa

A new contender has emerged at light heavyweight after Navajo Stirling took out former champion Jan Blachowicz in the first round at UFC Belgrade.

Despite taking the fight on short notice, Stirling looked more than ready, especially after the dropped Blachowicz with a perfectly timed right had that sent the Polish powerhouse to the canvas. From there, Stirling was relentless with his ground and pound as he blasted Blachowicz with elbows until referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight with the end coming at just 2:56 in the opening round.

“I think about fighting, it all starts up here [in the head], you can make it happen,” Stirling said after his win. “It’s an absolutely honor to be able to share the ring with a former champion like Jan Blachowicz.

“Honestly, we’re all fighting each other so there can all be one winner but I’m a big fan of Jan. Just sticking to the game plan, I’ve got the best coaches in the world.”

The light heavyweights were jockeying for position early with Blachowicz landing the first big shot after a slick jab caught Stirling off guard and rattled him briefly. Stirling had blood trickling down his face afterwards as he reset on the feet.

A moment later, Stirling uncorked a huge right of his own that hammered Blachowcicz as he was wobbled and stumbled backwards towards the canvas.

As Blachowicz hit the ground, Stirling jumped on top of him and immediately started blasting away with elbows including one that sliced open the former light heavyweight champion. The assault continued with Stirling just dropping bombs until the referee saw enough and rescued Blachowicz from further harm.

Afterwards, Stirling looked up the rankings and called for a fight against one of the top contenders in the division for his next outing.

“If [Khalil] Roundtree or [Paulo] Costa want to fight … I’ll whoop that ass.”

In a division that needs some excitement, Stirling is providing that, especially with his past two wins. As for Blachowicz, the former champion falls to 0-3-2 in his past five fights and at 43 years old, the clock might be ticking on his time left in the sport.