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Navajo Stirling

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Navajo Stirling
BornRongotehengia Navajo Hunter Stirling
(1997-11-07) 7 November 1997 (age 28)
Upper Hutt, New Zealand
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Reach79 in (201 cm)
StyleKickboxing
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofAuckland, New Zealand
TeamCity Kickboxing (2021–present)
TrainerEugene Bareman
Doug Viney
Years active2020–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins10
By knockout6
By decision4
Losses0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rongotehengia Navajo Hunter Stirling (born 7 November 1997) is a New Zealand professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 20, 2026, he is #12 in the Meta UFC light heavyweight rankings.[1]

Early life and kickboxing career

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Stirling was born on 7 November 1997, in Upper Hutt, New Zealand.[2] He attended Upper Hutt College and played rugby growing up, but grew tired of the necessity to rely on teammates and signed up for karate classes at a nearby gym.[3] Years later, Stirling developed an interest in mixed martial arts (MMA), specifically by watching Conor McGregor, and started dreaming of fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[3][4] In 2020, while visiting his brother in Auckland, he tagged along on a trip to the City Kickboxing gym, where he realised that kickboxing could be his chance to follow his UFC dreams.[4] Stirling later stated: "That visit made me realise I should have been here ages ago."[4] After returning home, he began training under Sone Vannathy at the Arch Angels Thai Kickboxing Gym in Wellington.[3]

Stirling fought at the amateur level before moving to The Lion Pit, also in Wellington, where he began his professional career.[3] He won the King in the Ring 92 kg III tournament in December 2020 as "a largely unknown prospect" by defeating Nato La'auli in the final.[5] Stirling compiled a 6–1 professional record before moving to City Kickboxing in Auckland in March 2021.[3] That June, he won the King in the Ring 100 kg IV tournament by defeating James Craughwell in the final,[6] joining Israel Adesanya and Carlos Ulberg as the only two-weight champions in the history of the tournament.[7]

On 9 September 2022, Stirling was scheduled to face Jesse Astill in the co-main event of the King in the Ring SUPERV event for the WKBF Professional Heavyweight K1 Championship.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

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During his kickboxing career, Stirling also developed his grappling and jiu-jitsu skills in preparation for a switch to MMA, even competing at regional no-gi competitions.[4] He made his professional MMA debut on 23 September 2022, defeating James Craughwell via unanimous decision at Shuriken Fight Series 12 in Auckland to capture the Shuriken heavyweight championship.[2] However, Stirling struggled to find willing opponents at the regional scene and waited over a year for his first title defence, during which he continued rounding out his skills.[9] He retained the title by defeating Kelvin Fitial via first-round technical knockout (TKO) at Shuriken Fight Series 16.[2][9]

On 4 May 2024, Stirling stopped Stu Dare in the first round of their fight at Hex Fight Series 30.[2][10] The following month, he defeated Sam Kei via third-round TKO at Hex Fight Series 31 to capture the vacant Hex light heavyweight championship.[2][11] On 10 September 2024, Stirling knocked out Phillip Latu in the second round of their fight in the main event of Dana White's Contender Series 71. He improved his record to 5–0 and was one of three fighters on the card to be awarded a UFC contract after drawing praise from UFC president Dana White.[12][13][14]

Stirling made his UFC debut on 14 December 2024, defeating Tuco Tokkos via unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 63.[15]

In his next fight, Stirling faced Ivan Erslan at UFC 315 on 10 May 2025. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[16][17]

On 27 September 2025, Stirling faced Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Fight Night 260, which was held in Perth. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18][19]

In his next fight, Stirling faced Bruno Lopes at UFC Fight Night 271 on 28 March 2026. He won the fight via second-round TKO, earning the first finish of his UFC career.[20][21]

Stirling faced Ion Cuțelaba on 20 June 2026 at UFC Fight Night 279.[22] He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.[23]

Personal life

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Stirling is of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui descent.[3] Early in his career, he started dying his hair blond because "word of mouth is a lot easier when people are hearing 'Who's the big blonde guy?'".[3] Stirling has spoken about his struggle with alcohol in his teenage years before he found martial arts, realising that "this was something worth fighting for".[24]

Stirling goes by his middle name, Navajo, which was given to him by his father, a fan of the Western film genre. His brother, Shaquille, was named after Shaquille O'Neal.[24]

Championships and accomplishments

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Kickboxing

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Muay Thai

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  • WBC MuayThai New Zealand
    • WBC New Zealand Professional Heavyweight Muay Thai Championship[3]
  • World Kickboxing Association MuayThai
    • WKA New Zealand Professional Heavyweight Muay Thai Championship[3]
  • New Zealand Muay Thai Federation
    • NZMF North Island Amateur Heavyweight Championship[3]

Mixed martial arts

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  • Hex Fight Series
    • Hex Fight Series Light Heavyweight Champion
  • Shuriken Fight Series
    • Shuriken Fight Series Heavyweight Champion

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
10 matches 10 wins 0 losses
By knockout 6 0
By decision 4 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 10–0 Ion Cuțelaba TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi 20 June 2026 2 3:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–0 Bruno Lopes TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer 28 March 2026 2 4:05 Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 8–0 Rodolfo Bellato Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs. Reyes 28 September 2025 3 5:00 Perth, Australia
Win 7–0 Ivan Erslan Decision (unanimous) UFC 315 10 May 2025 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 6–0 Tuco Tokkos Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley 14 December 2024 3 5:00 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 5–0 Phillip Latu KO (punch) Dana White's Contender Series 71 10 September 2024 1 2:21 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Sam Kei TKO (punches) Hex Fight Series 31 14 June 2024 3 1:48 Melbourne, Australia Won the vacant Hex Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Stuart Dare KO (knee and punches) Hex Fight Series 30 4 May 2024 1 3:46 Auckland, New Zealand Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 2–0 Kelvin Fitial TKO (slam and punches) Shuriken Fight Series 16 28 October 2023 1 2:41 Auckland, New Zealand Defended the SFS Heavyweight Championship.
Win 1–0 James Craughwell Decision (unanimous) Shuriken Fight Series 12 23 September 2022 5 5:00 Auckland, New Zealand Heavyweight debut. Won the inaugural SFS Heavyweight Championship.

[25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Navajo Stirling". Tapology. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Dunseath, Finlay (29 March 2021). "King in the Ring chases passport to Fight Island". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d Foote, Stephen (7 September 2022). "King in the Ring great Navajo Stirling on track to achieve UFC dream after move to City Kickboxing". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  5. ^ Kermeen, Mat (17 June 2021). "King in the Ring: Navajo Stirling wants second title then follow City Kickboxing blueprint toward UFC". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  6. ^ "King in the Ring: Kick-boxing referee wears punch to the face during fight, Navajo Stirling's rise continues". Stuff. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  7. ^ "Stirling striving to be crowned two-time King". Radio New Zealand. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  8. ^ Wilson, Sam (8 September 2022). "'It's going to happen': King in the Ring champion Navajo Stirling's goal to become a UFC superstar". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  9. ^ a b Tasker, Callum (2 November 2023). "UFC: City Kickboxing prospect grapples with improved technique for step up to big time". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  10. ^ Haimona-Riki, Mare (5 May 2024). "One step closer to UFC for Navajo Stirling". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  11. ^ "Navajo Stirling gets call up to Dana White's Contender Series". Fight News Australia. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  12. ^ Knapp, Brian (10 September 2024). "UFC Signs Navajo Stirling, Two Others on Week 5 of Dana White's Contender Series". Sherdog. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  13. ^ Reive, Christopher (10 September 2024). "UFC: Navajo Stirling earns UFC contract with emphatic KO win on Dana White's Contender Series". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  14. ^ Kermeen, Mat (11 September 2024). "How one punch landed Kiwi fighter Navajo Stirling a UFC contract". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  15. ^ Reive, Christopher (14 December 2024). "UFC: Navajo Stirling makes successful debut with win over Tuco Tokkos". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  16. ^ "Kiwi light heavyweight Navajo Stirling makes a statement at UFC 315". Radio New Zealand. 11 May 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  17. ^ Law, Eddie (10 May 2025). "Navajo Stirling Trades With Erslan, Almost Finishes Fight In Final Moments". Cageside Press. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  18. ^ Knapp, Brian (27 September 2025). "UFC Perth Prelims: Unbeaten Navajo Stirling Tops Rodolfo Bellato, Improves to 8-0". Sherdog. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  19. ^ Johnston, Mike (27 September 2025). "Navajo Stirling, Michelle Montague stay unbeaten on UFC Perth prelims". Sportsnet. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  20. ^ Reive, Christopher (28 March 2026). "UFC Seattle: Navajo Stirling claims second-round stoppage win over Bruno Lopes". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  21. ^ "NZ fighter Navajo Stirling beats Bruno Lopes in UFC showdown". Radio New Zealand. 29 March 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  22. ^ Bartłomiej Stachura (26 April 2026). "Niepokonany Navajo Stirling zmierzy się z zaprawionym w bojach Ionem Cutelabą na czerwcowej gali UFC Vegas". lowking.pl. Retrieved 30 April 2026. (in Polish)
  23. ^ Eddie Law (20 June 2026). "Navajo Stirling survives scare, finishes Cutelaba at UFC Vegas 119". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  24. ^ a b Bruce, Sam (17 September 2024). "Navajo Stirling found his 'purpose', then embraced the Israel Adesanya effect". ESPN. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  25. ^ Sherdog.com. "Navajo Stirling". Sherdog. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
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