Three Fights Navajo Stirling Should Take Next

Navajo Stirling's brutal finish of Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade vaulted him into the heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight top ten and put the division on notice. The knockout — a vicious elbow that opened a gruesome cut and forced the stoppage — marked Stirling's most significant win to date and positioned him as a legitimate threat in the 205-pound ranks. Now the question becomes: what's next? Here are three fights that make sense for Stirling, ranked by both opportunity and risk.

1. Jamahal Hill
This is the fight. Hill, the former champion who lost his belt to Alex Pereira and then sat out with an Achilles injury, needs a top-ten opponent to re-establish himself. Stirling needs a name that moves the needle. The stylistic matchup is explosive: Hill's boxing precision and power versus Stirling's pressure grappling and calculated violence in the clinch. Hill has shown vulnerability to wrestlers in the past, and Stirling's ability to close distance and punish against the cage could exploit that. If Stirling wins, he is one fight away from a title eliminator. If Hill wins, he is back in the conversation. The narrative writes itself — young contender versus former champion looking to reclaim his throne.

2. Aleksandar Rakić
Rakić has been plagued by injuries but remains one of the most dangerous strikers at light heavyweight when healthy. He holds wins over Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith, and his long-range kickboxing would test Stirling's ability to close distance without absorbing damage. This is a proving-ground fight. Rakić's lateral movement and counter-striking present a puzzle Stirling has not yet solved at the elite level. A win here would demonstrate that Stirling can handle a technical sniper, not just a slower veteran like Blachowicz. The risk is real — Rakić can put anyone to sleep — but the reward is a spot in the top five and a clear path to title contention.

3. Anthony Smith
Smith is the veteran litmus test. He has fought for the title, survived wars with Glover Teixeira and Aleksandar Rakić, and remains a durable gatekeeper who separates contenders from pretenders. This fight would not catapult Stirling into title talks, but it would solidify his top-ten status and give him a name-brand win over a respected fighter. Smith's submission game and experience could trouble Stirling if the fight hits the mat, but Stirling's youth and finishing instinct would be favored. This is the safe play — a winnable fight that keeps momentum without risking a setback against a surging contender. If the UFC wants to protect Stirling's rise while keeping him active, Smith is the call.

Stirling has the tools to compete with anyone in the division. The Blachowicz knockout was not a fluke — it was a statement. Now the matchmakers need to decide whether to fast-track him toward the title or let him marinate with one more test. Either way, the light heavyweight division just got more interesting.