Overview
- The co-main event at UFC Belgrade on Saturday pits Navajo Stirling against former champion Jan Blachowicz after Stirling stepped in on short notice when Bogdan Guskov took a different bout.
- Oddsmakers and several media previews list Stirling as the betting favorite, reflecting his 10-0 record, six-fight UFC win streak, and perceived size and activity advantages.
- Israel Adesanya publicly backed Stirling’s wrestling and size as assets against Blachowicz, and Stirling said City Kickboxing remains strong despite Adesanya’s recent departure from the gym.
- Blachowicz brings championship experience and says he will end Stirling’s unbeaten run, but he enters on a multi-fight winless stretch that frames this as a key test of his late-career form.
- A Stirling victory would likely move him into the top 15 at light heavyweight and reshape short-term matchup opportunities, while a Blachowicz win would slow the prospect’s momentum and offer a veteran rebound narrative.