UFC Seattle: Navajo Stirling on Israel Adesanya influence, burnout and bid for greatness

In his own words, Navajo Stirling has had enough time to grow.

When he steps into the UFC octagon against Bruno Lopes on Sunday in Seattle, the Kiwi prospect wants to show he’s ready to make a charge in the light heavyweight division.

The 28-year-old has had an unblemished start to his mixed martial arts career, joining the UFC with a 5-0 record and winning his first three assignments with the sport’s top promotion.

But as he looks for his ninth win in a row on Sunday, Stirling told the Herald this was an opportunity for him to make a statement.

“I’m starting to realise like, oh, you know, we are good at our gym and although we come from a striking gym, our grappling is right up there,” the City Kickboxing-trained light heavyweight said.

“My past few fights, I’ve been able to get a feel of the opponents and be like, ‘you know what, this guy doesn’t know what he’s doing here’ or whatever. Like, I feel stronger in this position.

“So now it’s just being able to back that and not be so hesitant. I just can really put my foot forward and really dictate the pace of the fight and take over, man. That’s what I’m looking to do.”

Stirling last fought in Perth in September, when he claimed a unanimous decision win over Rodolfo Bellato.

It was a bout that gave Stirling plenty of lessons, particularly coming into the event as he admits he was feeling somewhat burnt out by the time fight night arrived.

“I think it was just a little bit of overtraining and just even the same on the fight week. Like, just not feeling as pumped up and ready for the fight and I really had to kind of test my resolve a little.

“Sometimes you need those iffy fight camps to get through just to really put you on your heels and bring it out of you mentally. I know I’ve got that in me. Despite everything going wrong, I’m still able to cross the finish line and come through.”

Stirling will share the card with City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya, who takes on American middleweight Joe Pyfer in the main event.

Adesanya’s influence on Stirling has been noted by fans and pundits, who have noted similarities in the two fighters’ approach inside the octagon.

And while Stirling said Adesanya had been a great mentor for him, he’s going out trying to build his own legacy.

“Israel’s given me insight into everything coming into fighting. The way a champion carries himself, deals with the fame inside and outside of the octagon. I’ve taken small parts of his game and blended them into my own. Things that I liked and, you know, just really blended it into myself.

“I never tried to be Israel. I took some of his stuff and put it into my own, but at the same time, I just want to be Navajo Stirling. Being compared to [Israel], I look at it as a positive because of everything he’s done. But as far as I’m concerned, like for me, I’ve got way more to do.

“I’ve got so much more to prove and I’m not just going to sit on the high horse and say like, hey, I train with Israel, you know what I mean? I’m here for myself at the end of the day as well and I’ve got to make my mark as well.”

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.