UFC Belgrade star admits he took short notice co-main event following ‘massive bender’ after June win

Navajo Stirling is well aware that his preparations have been lower than ideal for UFC Belgrade.

Last weekend, Bogdan Guskov didn’t capitalize on a giant opportunity after moving into the primary event in Abu Dhabi on short notice.

This Saturday’s card also incorporates a significant alternative matchup at light heavyweight in consequence of assorted late changes being made.

Jan Blachowicz will now be facing Stirling within the co-main event, which implies a fast turnaround for Recent Zealand’s surging contender.

After returning to winning ways at UFC Abu Dhabi, what’s next for Magomed Ankalaev? 🤔

The Dagestani former champion finished Bogdan Guskov in a lackluster primary event 😴

Navajo Stirling had just finished celebrating his last win when getting the decision for UFC Belgrade

Navajo Stirling has long been tipped for large things by the likes of Israel Adesanya before putting together a win streak contained in the Octagon.

On August 1, he has the chance to avenge ‘The Last Stylebender’ by taking up former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz on short notice.

Having beaten Ion Cutelaba to record his fifth consecutive win just last month, Stirling recently revealed that he got the decision to step in at UFC Belgrade after celebrating this victory abroad.

“I’d just come off holiday mode, bro, in Japan,” Stirling told Home Of Fight. “I’m at all times training within the gym despite whatever I’m doing, that’s my routine. I used to be back in routine but yeah, just come off a large bender and just rolled into the weeks and got offered a fight. I just said ‘yeah bro I’m keen, I’m training on a regular basis’ so just gotta utilize my youth. I just got here off one of the best camp of my life, so why wouldn’t I take it?”

While Blachowicz has a giant experience advantage over his 10-0 opponent, the Polish veteran can be 15 years older than his next foe.

Blachowicz can be getting back from a torn meniscus injury that prevented him from fighting earlier this yr.

Navajo Stirling has a lightweight heavyweight title hurdle that Dana White won’t approve of

Earning his sixth consecutive win by beating a former champion in Jan Blachowicz on short notice is bound to propel Navajo Stirling up the sunshine heavyweight ladder.

There’s one factor that can hold his ascent back: his teammate being the present champion.

After Robert Whittaker said he won’t fight Carlos Ulberg now they’re in the identical division, Stirling took the identical stance regarding matchups with each men.

Stirling told Full Send MMA that with him being seven years younger than ‘Black Jag’, he doesn’t see why he can’t proceed to assist his teammate fairly than becoming his rival.