Adesanya On Stirling's Top-Five Case After Blachowicz Finish

Israel Adesanya believes Navajo Stirling earned a top-five spot at heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight after stopping Jan Blachowicz in the first round at UFC Belgrade on Saturday.

Stirling, who took the bout on short notice, dropped the former UFC champion with strikes and finished him via TKO to push his unbeaten record to 11-0. Blachowicz, who holds a win over Adesanya from their 2021 title fight, has now lost three straight.

Adesanya Credits Stirling's Composure Against Former Champ

Adesanya praised the New Zealand fighter's poise on his YouTube channel, per MMA Junkie. "He just got back from Japan last fight, takes this fight on short notice against a former champion, and smokes the dude," Adesanya said. "There was a sequence in there where he just looked relaxed. He wasn't panicking, even when he got popped with that jab and his nose started bleeding. He stayed composed. Another day in the office. Another good day in the office for Navajo Stirling."

Adesanya added that Blachowicz had never been finished that way before and called for an immediate rankings jump. "Top five. Put my man in the top five. Hurry up. And $100 Gs," he said.

Stirling has now won his last three UFC bouts by TKO after opening his promotional run with three straight decision victories. The 205-pound division could see him matched with a ranked opponent next as he continues his climb toward a title shot.

Original reporting:

• bjpenn.com — Israel Adesanya wants top 5 ranking for Navajo Stirling following sensational UFC Belgrade finish: "Another day in the office" | BJPenn.com