Navajo Stirling survives guillotine scare in UFC Vegas 119 win

Navajo Stirling fought through the tightest spot of his career Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The undefeated heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight survived an early standing guillotine from Ion Cutelaba before reversing position and pounding out a second-round stoppage at UFC Fight Night 279, according to Sherdog. Cutelaba locked up the choke on the feet and dragged Stirling to the mat, but the City Kickboxing product worked his head free after what he called the most adversity he has faced inside the cage.

Stirling credits gym work for survival under pressure

"He was stronger and dangerous a little bit longer than I expected," Stirling said in a post-fight interview with the UFC. "He had me in some bad positions. I really had to work out of it. I had never really been put there before in a fight." The Kiwi added that while the guillotine marked new territory in competition, his Auckland gym prepares him to handle stress positions regularly. "CKB, at the gym I know not just how to play the hammer, but how to play the nail," he said.

Both fighters traded momentum in the second round before Stirling reversed a takedown and unleashed ground strikes on a seated Cutelaba to force the stoppage. The win pushed Stirling to 10-0 overall with five UFC victories since his 2024 debut, two by finish. Cutelaba dropped to 20-12 and has now lost two of his last three.

Stirling meets next opponent to be announced. His October camp is expected to remain at City Kickboxing.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Navajo Stirling admits to facing most adversity in MMA career vs. Ion Cutelaba