Upper Hutt native Navajo Stirling has secured his place among the elite ranks of mixed martial artists after an emphatic performance on Dana White’s Contender Series.
In a crucial light heavyweight bout, the 26-year-old claimed a UFC contract with a second-round knockout victory over American fighter Phillip Latu. Stirling’s impressive performance left UFC president Dana White highly impressed, with White stating, “Stirling looked incredible… He delivered tonight. I’m interested. I want to see what he can do in the UFC.”
The pivotal moment came early in the second round when Stirling connected with a powerful left hook, sending Latu to the canvas. Stirling, showing patience and precision, had controlled much of the fight with varied strikes and effective wrestling. Despite not securing a takedown in the first round, he dominated the action and showcased his ability to handle a tough opponent like Latu.
Following his victory, Stirling expressed confidence in his abilities. “I knew it was coming,” he says. “I knew [Dana White] just needed to get his eyes on me and I would handle it from there.” Stirling is eager to make his UFC debut this year, noting that he came through the fight with minimal damage and has been actively training since December.
Having grown up in Upper Hutt, Stirling has long harboured dreams of reaching the UFC, and now those dreams can commence. He adds, “I’ve been active as, this year. I’ve been trying to get fights since December, I was training right through Christmas.”
The victory marks a significant moment for Stirling, as he joins the ranks of New Zealand’s top fighters representing their country on the global MMA stage.