Navajo Stirling defeats Jan Błachowicz at UFC Belgrade

New Zealand fighter Navajo Stirling knocked out former light‑heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz in the co‑main event of UFC Fight Night 283 in Belgrade, stopping the bout at 2 minutes 56 seconds of the first round. The technical knockout earned Stirling a $100,000 performance‑of‑the‑night bonus and drew praise from commentators, with Jon Anik noting his calm composure and Israel Adesanya calling the win “nail‑on‑the‑head.”

The loss extended Błachowicz’s winless streak to five consecutive fights, the longest since 2021, and sparked widespread calls for the 43‑year‑old to retire. He had previously defended his status as a former champion but has not won a UFC bout since May 2022. Fans and analysts highlighted his age and recent record (0‑3‑2) as reasons to consider ending his career.

Polish heavyweight Marcin Tybura, also fighting in Belgrade, suffered a third straight defeat, losing a decision to Aleksandar Rakic. His loss, combined with Błachowicz’s, raised questions about the future of both Polish veterans in the organization.