Undefeated UFC light heavyweight Navajo Stirling returned months after a successful debut to take on Ivan Erslan at UFC 315 on Saturday night.
Stirling (6-0) made his way into the UFC off Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024. His debut came a couple of months later where he took a decision victory over Tuco Tokkos at UFC Tampa.
Erslan (14-4) looked to bounce back after losing his UFC debut bout against Ion Cutelaba in September. The Croatian light heavyweight tried his luck against Stirling at UFC 315.
Round 1 Stirling came out busy with leg kicks, but Erslan came after him with shots up top. Right hands were landing rather well for Erslan so Stirling switched to high kick attacks. Stirling ate enough right hands to suffer a cut early under the right eye.
Stirling switched up and began to set up his kick attacks with punches up top. Erslan’s attacks slowed as Stirling didn’t offer close encounters for him to land. Round ended with Stirling landing a couple kicks to the body.
Round 2 Erslan took advantage of an attacking Stirling to clinch with him and put him on the fence. Stirling spun to face him and then put Erslan on the canvas. Erslan worked his way back up, but Stirling wasn’t giving up on the wrestling.
Erslan hit the switch and began to use his own wrestling once again. Stirling was able to break contact and get back to striking. He clearly wasn’t happy with the round and began to score to the body of Erslan. Erslan wasn’t fazed and continued his own striking attack as Stirling continued to eat some heavy shots up top.
Round 3 Stirling came out with a left hand up top then a stabbing kick to the body. Erslan was fine continuing his counter attack with right hands. They were landing so it was clearly working.
Stirling wasn’t happy eating so many shots so he shot in on Erslan and put him on the fence. The takedown didn’t work so he landed an elbow on the break and put pressure on Erslan.
Stirling landed a massive right hand that sent Erslan to the canvas. Erslan covered up and ate some shots, but made his way to his feet throwing his hands up urging his opponent to attack.
He obliged and went after Erslan landing heavy shots and ultimately getting him down to the canvas. The rest of the fight was Stirling trying to finish the bout on the ground, but running out of time.
Official Result: Navajo Stirling def. Ivan Erslan via Unanimous Decision (29-28×2, 29-27)
