Navajo Stirling
New Zealand
Remains perfect in UFC
Stirling defeated Ivan Erslan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27) at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
The final numbers of this fight were lopsided. When all was said and done, Stirling had a 110-36 edge in significant strikes landed, connected on three takedowns, and racked up 3:01 worth of control time. All that said, until the dying minutes, believe it or not, this bout was up for grabs. It was at that point Stirling picked up a knockdown and a ridiculous amount of follow-up damage. A referee more experienced than Erick Philippeaux likely would have stopped things. Stirling is still learning the finer points of MMA seven fights into his professional career, but he has an excellent frame for the light heavyweight division and has shown a willingness to mix things up when it's not going well. That's about all you can ask for at this point.
The final numbers of this fight were lopsided. When all was said and done, Stirling had a 110-36 edge in significant strikes landed, connected on three takedowns, and racked up 3:01 worth of control time. All that said, until the dying minutes, believe it or not, this bout was up for grabs. It was at that point Stirling picked up a knockdown and a ridiculous amount of follow-up damage. A referee more experienced than Erick Philippeaux likely would have stopped things. Stirling is still learning the finer points of MMA seven fights into his professional career, but he has an excellent frame for the light heavyweight division and has shown a willingness to mix things up when it's not going well. That's about all you can ask for at this point.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Facing Erslan in May
Stirling will face Ivan Erslan at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Stirling will put his perfect 6-0 professional record on the line against Erslan in his second UFC appearance. The 6-foot-4 Kiwi will look to take advantage of both height and reach advantages over the older Croatian. Stirling will need to stay weary of Erslan's stopping power, as the 33-year-old boasts an impressive 10-1 professional record in KO/TKO finishes.
Stirling will put his perfect 6-0 professional record on the line against Erslan in his second UFC appearance. The 6-foot-4 Kiwi will look to take advantage of both height and reach advantages over the older Croatian. Stirling will need to stay weary of Erslan's stopping power, as the 33-year-old boasts an impressive 10-1 professional record in KO/TKO finishes.
Wins as overwhelming favorite
Stirling defeated Tuco Tokkos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Tampa, Florida.
ANALYSIS
Stirling won this bout easily, but one expects a more dominant showing when a fighter enters as a -1200 favorite. He got the better of Tokkos on the feet and defended quite well despite the fact Stirling allowed three takedowns. The fact Navajo was being backed so heavily in just his sixth professional bout and first official UFC fight is ridiculous, but it speaks to Stirling's long-term potential. The power is legitimate, and Stirling is getting elite training every single day with the crew at City Kickboxing, but expectations should be kept in check for the foreseeable future.
Stirling won this bout easily, but one expects a more dominant showing when a fighter enters as a -1200 favorite. He got the better of Tokkos on the feet and defended quite well despite the fact Stirling allowed three takedowns. The fact Navajo was being backed so heavily in just his sixth professional bout and first official UFC fight is ridiculous, but it speaks to Stirling's long-term potential. The power is legitimate, and Stirling is getting elite training every single day with the crew at City Kickboxing, but expectations should be kept in check for the foreseeable future.
Slated to fight in December
Stirling is set to face off against Tuco Tokkos in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Stirling will take on Tokkos in Tampa as he looks to improve his overall record to 6-0-0. The 26-year-old out of New Zealand has won four of his five fights by KO/TKO, including his last fight in Dana White's Contender Series in which he bested Phil Latu in two rounds to officially earn his UFC contract.
Stirling will take on Tokkos in Tampa as he looks to improve his overall record to 6-0-0. The 26-year-old out of New Zealand has won four of his five fights by KO/TKO, including his last fight in Dana White's Contender Series in which he bested Phil Latu in two rounds to officially earn his UFC contract.