Navajo Stirling delivered the biggest win of his young career on Saturday, knocking out former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the first round at UFC Belgrade.
Stirling stopped Blachowicz with a barrage of punches and elbows after dropping the veteran with a clean right hand inside Belgrade Arena in Serbia.
The victory also marked the ninth first-round finish on the card, setting a new UFC record for the most opening-round stoppages at a single event.
Stirling Drops Blachowicz With Perfect Right Hand
Despite taking the fight on short notice, Stirling entered the co-main event with plenty of confidence. The undefeated light heavyweight had won his first five professional fights and was facing his biggest test yet in the 43-year-old Blachowicz.
Blachowicz had some success in the opening exchanges, but Stirling gradually found his rhythm. The 205-pounder stayed sharp from distance and patiently looked for his opening.
That opportunity came when Stirling landed a powerful right hand that caught Blachowicz clean on the chin. The former champion immediately crashed to the canvas, giving Stirling the chance to close the show.
Stirling Remains Undefeated at 11-0
Stirling quickly followed Blachowicz to the ground and unleashed a series of heavy elbows and punches. The referee stepped in soon after, giving Stirling the first-round TKO and another impressive finish to his unbeaten run.
With the victory, Stirling improved to 11-0 and added the biggest name to his record by stopping a former UFC champion in devastating fashion.
For Blachowicz, the loss adds another setback to the veteran’s career. For Stirling, it could be the performance that pushes him into a much bigger fight in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.