UFC 330: Makhachev v Machado Garry | SUN 16 AUGUST 11AM AEST | UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev will return to the octagon for another tittle defence, where he takes on Ian Machado Garry in Philadelphia. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n The City Kickboxing star showed little sign of nerves despite sharing the Octagon with the former champ, who hadn\u2019t been knocked out since 2019.<\/p>\n After absorbing some early punishment, Stirling quickly settled into range before unleashing a crushing right hand that sent the Pole powerhouse crashing to the canvas.<\/p>\n Sensing the finish, the Kiwi pounced with a barrage of elbows and punches, forcing referee Marc Goddard to wave the contest off before Blachowicz could recover. <\/p>\n \u201cThe thing about fighting is it all starts [in your mind],\u201d Stirling said in his post-fight interview. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you can see it, you can make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n The performance immediately drew praise from across the MMA world, with several former UFC champions declaring Stirling a genuine problem for the very best in his division.<\/p>\n \u201cDang, Stirling just cemented himself as a contender,\u201d former UFC champion Belal Muhammad wrote on X.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a shot by Navajo!\u201d posted former champion Henry Cejudo.<\/p>\n Stirling\u2019s former teammate, Israel Adesanya, is now calling for him to get a top-five ranking.<\/p>\n \u201cHe just got back from Japan last fight, takes this fight on short notice against a former champion, and smokes the dude \u2013 absolutely smokes him,\u201d Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. <\/p>\n \u201cNo one has ever done that before to Jan until today.<\/p>\n \u201cTop five. Put my man in the top five. Hurry up. And $100 Gs.\u201d <\/p>\n Stirling, who moves to 11-0 in his pro career, is now a very real threat to the light heavyweight title.<\/p>\n However, that picture is complicated by the fact that the man wearing the title strap in his weight class is City Kickboxing teammate Carlos Ulberg, with Stirling repeatedly stating he\u2019s not interested in fighting teammates<\/p>\n For now, Stirling wants to take out the other top challengers. <\/p>\n \u201cIf [Khalil] Rountree or Paulo Costa want a fight before the year ends, you know who to call,\u201d he said on Sunday.<\/p>\n The dominant victory also serves as another sign that City Kickboxing\u2019s next gen is beginning to emerge after some have questioned the gym\u2019s future following Adesanya\u2019s long reign.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m such a proud representative of New Zealand and City Kickboxing,\u201d he told Fox Sports Australia<\/a> earlier this year.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe had Israel on top for such a long time \u2013 and then when he came off the throne we had people coming at us saying that we were finished and what not.<\/p>\n READ MORE UFC & BOXING<\/p>\n \u2018Biggest fights\u2019: Aussie superstar lands Jake Paul deal in major women\u2019s boxing shake-up<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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