Navajo Stirling Defeats Jan Blachowicz in First Round at UFC Belgrade

Navajo Stirling secured a victory against Jan Blachowicz in the first round during UFC Belgrade, which took place at the Belgrade Arena in Serbia. The fight concluded at 2:56 of the opening round, with Stirling landing a powerful right hand followed by elbows and punches that led to the referee's intervention.

Stirling, who stepped in for the co-main event on short notice, was the betting favorite despite being wobbled early by a left hook from Blachowicz. After recovering, Stirling utilized low kicks and jabs to control the fight, ultimately delivering a combination that knocked Blachowicz down. This victory improved Stirling's record to 11-0 and marked his ninth first-round finish, setting a new UFC record for most opening-frame stoppages in a single event.

The win positions Stirling as a contender in the light heavyweight division, although he faces a challenge as current champion Carlos Ulberg trains at the same gym. Blachowicz's record now stands at 29-12-2, having lost his last four fights, including previous bouts against Ulberg and Alex Pereira.