Undefeated UFC light heavyweight prospect Navajo Stirling had a triumphant promotional debut but didn’t impress fans after failing to secure an anticipated finish.
Navajo Stirling, one of City Kickboxing’s rising stars, earned a shot in the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series earlier this year. He earned a wild knockout over Phillip Latu in September to secure a contract and was hyped as potentially the ‘next big thing’ at 205lbs.
Stirling entered the Octagon against Tuco Tokkos a significant betting favorite. But despite outlanding Tokkos by a significant margin, especially with body shots, he wasn’t able to finish an exhausted Tokkos as the fight went on.
Leading up to his promotional debut, Israel Adesanya called Stirling a potentially better version of himself. It was a big statement from the former middleweight champion and immediately drew hordes of MMA fans towards Stirling.
A Stirling knockout win was a highly-bet option in many sportsbooks ahead of UFC Tampa, especially after his DWCS performance. But, he ended up coasting to a unanimous decision victory and despite the win, left fans unfulfilled with his showing.
Undefeated Navajo Stirling’s up-and-down UFC debut prompts fan hate
UFC fans on X gave less-than-glowing reviews of the highly-touted prospect’s Octagon debut.
“Navajo Stirling was -200 to win by knockout and hasn’t even come close yet really. I’m not impressed,” one fan said.
“Navajo Stirling is a complete f***ing garbage fighter, someone needs to get in the ring and legit **** him.”
“Navajo Stirling looks like my pro clubs player.”
“RIP to anyone who bet a Navajo Stirling KO. Dude is not very good.”
“Stirling fought a scrub and couldn’t get the finish… not impressed by this dude.”
“What a snooze fest!”
“Putting that on the main card in 2024 is a f***ing disgrace.”
“Cut both.”
Stirling moves to 6-0 in his professional career with the win at UFC Tampa. He’s a name to watch in the light heavyweight division as 2025 draws close, although he’ll need to do more in his next performance to earn more love from fans.