UFC light heavyweight Navajo Stirling expected a tough fight against Ivan Erslan at UFC 315, but he was flabbergasted at just how hard it was to beat him on Saturday night.
“Leading up to this fight I said this guy’s going to come, he’s here to show me who he is, and I felt that. I really felt that,” Stirling told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“You take something away from each other in this fight, and year huge respect to Ivan Erslan. He really brought it out of me even in the training camp. I didn’t overlook him. I had so much respect for him going into that fight. He’s probably the best fighter I’ve ever fought so far in my career. Huge feather in my cap.”
Fans were already excited about Stirling in the UFC, but he admitted he likes the attention. It’s all part of the game for Stirling.
“I think naturally because of the way I am and the way I put myself out there. I invite it all. I invite the pressure, I invite the big moments, I really want to see what I’m capable of. They want to see me against the best and that’s why I’m here. I don’t care if I get pushed fast or pushed slow,” he said.
“As long as I get to fight. I don’t care who is on the table I’ll fight anyone.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Navajo Stirling above.
