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Live sport on SN this weekendNavajo Stirling handed massive UFC test against former champion
Sport Nation • July 17th, 2026 6:47 pm
Navajo Stirling | Photo: Photosport
Surging Kiwi UFC fighter Navajo Stirling is set to face the sternest test of his fledgling career yet.
The City Kickboxing product will square off with former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at the UFC Fight Night in Belgrade, Serbia on August 2 (NZ time).
Stirling fills in as a replacement for Blachowicz's original opponent Bogdan Guskov, who was pulled to fill in for the injured Khalil Rountree against Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi on July 26.
The undefeated Stirling is currently riding a five-fight win streak, most recently earning a second-round TKO over Ion Cutelaba in June.
Navajo Stirling on balancing title aspirations with steady progression | Sport Nation Afternoons
The result of the run has been a swirling groundswell of hype around the Lower Hutt native, who will need to raise his game again against Poland's Blachowicz.
The 43-year-old grizzly grappler has been a mainstay in the divisional rankings, peaking with his title triumph back in 2020.
He defended his title against Kiwi Israel Adesanya - who was attempting to add another championship alongside his middleweight strap - before losing it to Glover Teixeira in 2021.
He's also recently shared the mat with reigning champion and CKB fighter Carlos Ulberg, dropping a unanimous decision to the 'Black Jag'.
Blachowicz is coming off a draw against Guskov in December 2025.
