Undefeated light heavyweight and 2024 DWCS winner Navajo Stirling made his promotional debut at UFC Tampa on Saturday, paired up with Tuco Tokkos.
Tokkos was looking for his first win in the promotion, after stepping up on short notice last time out. He trained in Florida at the well-known Kill Cliff FC, while Stirling represented another top camp, New Zealand’s City Kickboxing.
The first round kicked off with Stirling taking center cage. Tokkos was trying a lot of feints to keep Stirling guessing but he continued to cut the cage off. They both where kick heavy to start the fight go to the legs and body. Stirling was being more efficient with the leg kicks and was landing better with his hands. It was a chess match for the most part halfway in. The pace was picked up by Stirling going to the body and throwing flurries having Tokkos curl up. Stirling had Tokkos flustered with his pressure, bodywork, and more output. Tokkos fought the entire round off his back foot and although he survived the round he looked defeated.
In round two Tukkos came out with more pressure. He even got a quick takedown and pressed Stirling against the cage. Stirling was is some trouble letting Tokkos almost get the back but he was able to escape. When he did Stirling landed a lot of knees and elbows making Tokkos pay for his short success. When the fight settles back on the outside Stirling would let his kicks go. When he got Tokkos against the cage he landed a nasty uppercut forcing Tokkos to clinch. Tokkos was able to get his hands around the waist and get a quick takedown. Stirling worked to his knees as Tokkos threatened the front headlock. As it looked like Tokkos was gonna get a better position Stirling swept and ended the round on the feet.
Into the final round it seemed clear that Tokkos needed a finish. It started with Tokkos landing a combination to the body-head. Throughout the fight Stirling attacked the body and it definitely played a factor in the fight. Stirling was gassed visibly though and did struggle against the cage against Tokkos. When Stirling was in control of the clinch he would land some big knees but Tokkos was the stronger guy in the position. Stirling when he got in pace he was landing the kicks to the body and Tokkos obviously wasn’t a fan. In the final minute Stirling had Tokkos in a lot of pain to the body. Tokkos was curling up and latched onto a leg to survive the fight.
Navajo Stirling def. Tuco Tokkos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
