Overview
- Stirling accepted a short-notice call and was confirmed to meet former champion Jan Blachowicz as the co-main event in Belgrade on Saturday, Aug. 1.
- The opening for Stirling came after Bogdan Guskov pulled out to pursue a bout with Magomed Ankalaev and that plan did not materialize.
- Stirling is 10-0 with two wins in 2026 and says he views this fight as a chance to break into the top 15 and potentially the top five in the division.
- Israel Adesanya publicly backed Stirling in pre-fight commentary, arguing Stirling’s wrestling and size give him the tools to control Blachowicz the way Blachowicz controlled Adesanya at UFC 259.
- Analysts see a classic prospect-versus-veteran matchup that could accelerate Stirling’s career if he wins or underscore Blachowicz’s decline if the former champion loses, with betting lines and predictions reflecting those two narratives.