​Navajo Stirling got his chance to break into the upper tier of the light heavyweight division at UFC Fight Night 283 and took full advantage with a finish of former champion Jan Blachowicz.Stirling (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) accepted the fight as a replacement for Bogdan Guskov on less than two weeks’ notice, and he came and landed and early massive left hand that send Blachowicz (29-12-2 MMA, 12-9-2 UFC) flying across the cage. The Kiwi pounced and landed some slicing elbows and didn’t stop throwing until the referee intervened for the TKO at the 2:56 mark of Round 1 in the light heavyweight bout at Belgrade Arena in Serbia.Check out the replay of Stirling’s shining performance below (via X):NAVAJO STIRLING COMES IN ON SHORT NOTICE & GETS JAN BLACHOWICZ OUT OF THERE IN ONE ROUND 🤯[ #UFCBelgrade | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/OYFqVjqq4L— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 1, 2026HE’S THE REAL DEAL AT 205lbs 👊Navajo Stirling gets the massive TKO for the best win in his career![ #UFCBelgrade | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/OlVV8ceduf— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 1, 2026After the fight, Stirling thanked the 43-year-old Blachowicz for his contributions to the weight class over the years and the opportunity to fight. Then, he took aim at the next names that will carry him forward toward a 205-pound title shot.”If (Khalil) Rountree or (Paulo) Costa wants to fight before the year ends, you know who to call,” Stirling said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “1-800-I’m-Going-to-Whip-That-Ass.”0-800-ImmaWhoopDatAss 👀Navajo Stirling wants Khalil Rountree Jr. or Paulo Costa after that victory!📺 @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/832P0E7nrj— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 1, 2026Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 283 results:Navajo Stirling def. Jan Blachowicz via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:56Aleksandar Rakic def. Marcin Tybura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)Robert Valentin def. Dusko Todorovic via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:14Gilbert Urbina def. Vlasto Cepo via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:01Noah Gugnon def. Milos Janicic via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:21Tofiq Musayev def. Ludovit Klein via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:07Michael Oliveira def. Oban Elliott via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:49Borislav Nikolic def. Mark Vologdin via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)Bogdan Grad def. Dennis Buzukja via submission (arm-triangle) – Round 2, 4:33Mateusz Rebecki def. Kyle Prepolec via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 4:41Nina Milosevic def. Hailey Cowan via TKO (body shot) – Round 1, 3:41Jovan Leka def. Alexander Poppeck via TKO (liver kick) – Round 1, 2:22Stephanie Luciano def. Marina Spasic via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:20This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Belgrade video: Navajo Stirling TKOs Jan Blachowicz in under 3 minutes