Kiwi fighter Navajo Stirling is ready to make waves in the UFC’s light heavyweight division as he prepares for his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Buckley in Florida, this afternoon – Sunday 15 December, on ESPN.
The 27-year-old fighter, representing New Zealand’s prestigious City Kickboxing gym, carries an undefeated 5-0 professional record into the bout. Stirling will take on Florida-based Brit Tuco Tokkos in a pivotal 205-pound matchup that could set the stage for a defining year in 2025.
Stirling first turned heads with a spectacular one-punch knockout of Phillip Latu on Dana White’s Contender Series in September, a performance that secured him a UFC contract. Reflecting on that career-changing moment, Stirling describes it as pivotal. “That’ll probably be the biggest fight of my life for a long time,” he says. “It’s like I can actually commence my dream of being one of the best fighters ever.”
While the Contender Series fight brought immense pressure, Stirling now views his UFC debut as an opportunity to shine on the sport’s biggest platform. “The only place to do it is here at the UFC, where they’ve got the best fighters on the planet. And, yeah, I want to make my way to the top,” he says.
Hailing from the Hutt Valley, Stirling’s confidence and raw power have made him a fighter to watch. Backed by a world-class coaching team at City Kickboxing, he is poised to deliver an impressive performance that could solidify his status as a rising star in the light heavyweight division.
For Stirling, Sunday’s fight represents not just a debut but a step closer to achieving greatness in the UFC. Kiwi fans will undoubtedly be cheering him on as he looks to take the global stage by storm.