Israel Adesanya advocates for top-five ranking for Navajo Stirling

Navajo Stirling delivered a notable performance by knocking out Jan Blachowicz in the first round at UFC Fight Night 282 on August 1, 2026. Stirling, now 11-0 in MMA and 6-0 in the UFC, garnered praise from Israel Adesanya, who called for Stirling's elevation to the top five in the light heavyweight rankings. Adesanya emphasized Stirling's composure throughout the fight, highlighting the achievement as unprecedented against a former champion. This victory marks a significant milestone in Stirling's career, further establishing him as a promising contender in the division.

• 3:20 PMYahoo Sports — Israel Adesanya calls for top-five UFC ranking for Navajo Stirling