Israel Adesanya liked what he saw from Navajo Stirling.
Stirling (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), a former City Kickboxing teammate of Adesanya’s, picked up the biggest win of his career this past Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 282. Taking the fight on short notice, Stirling put away former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the first round of their contest. It was a big test and step up for Stirling, and one Adesanya thinks he passed with flying colors.
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“He just got back from Japan last fight, takes this fight on short notice against a former champion, and smokes the dude – absolutely smokes him,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “I’m still in awe. I’m still in awe. Just the whole thing, the walkout, when he steps into the octagon, he just looked so relaxed. There was a sequence in there where he just looked relaxed. He wasn’t panicking, even when he got popped with that jab and his nose started bleeding. He stayed composed. You’re watching it, and I know the guy, I’m just like, ‘He’s relaxed. He’s chill.’ He fought so recently. Another day in the office. Another good day in the office for Navajo Stirling. No one has ever done that before to Jan until today. Top five. Put my man in the top five. Hurry up. And $100 Gs.”
Adesanya recently parted ways with City Kickboxing in New Zealand, leaving his long-time gym that saw him become one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history. “Stylebender” had nothing but love for his former teammate.
Stirling is one of the most promising new fighters in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. He’s got an undefeated record of 10-0, and has three consecutive TKO finishes. He won an $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his KO of Blachowicz. This is Stirling’s first win over a former UFC champion, easily the highest profile victory of his young career.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Israel Adesanya calls for top-five UFC ranking for Navajo Stirling
