Stirling Shuts Down Ulberg Teammate Fight Talk

Undefeated UFC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight Navajo Stirling has ruled out fighting City Kickboxing teammates Carlos Ulberg and Robert Whittaker despite all three now competing at 205 pounds.

Stirling takes on former champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade on August 1 after accepting the bout on less than three weeks' notice, per Sherdog. The matchup represents a major step up for the 10-0 Kiwi, who replaced Bogdan Guskov when the Russian took another short-notice fight.

Stirling Says Age Gap Allows Him to Avoid Teammate Clash

A win over Blachowicz would move Stirling closer to the title now held by Ulberg, who captured the belt earlier this year. Whittaker recently joined City Kickboxing and finished Nikita Krylov in his successful heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight debut, adding another wrinkle to the division's teammate dynamics.

Stirling told Full Send MMA he shares the same stance as his training partners on intra-gym fights and believes his youth allows him to sidestep the issue. "Rob and Carlos are the best training partners, best bunch of blokes to be around," Stirling said. "I don't want to fight either of them. I think we are all on the same page. I think the difference between the boys and me is that I'm super young. There's no rush for me as well."

The 28-year-old said he would rather help Ulberg cement his reign as champion. "Carlos has still got a couple of years to solidify himself and I can still focus on helping him do that," Stirling said.

Stirling and Blachowicz weigh in Friday in Belgrade.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — UFC prospect Navajo Stirling reveals stance on fighting City Kickboxing teammates