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Israel Adesanya has showered praises on MMA rookie Navajo Stirling just days after falling to another consecutive defeat in the UFC.
Days after his defeat against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, Israel Adesanya has made a shocking declaration concerning a rookie fighter in the division.
‘The Last Stylebender’ openly suggested that up-and-coming UFC fighter Navajo Stirling is superior to him.
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Stirling, who secured his UFC contract with a jaw-dropping knockout victory on Dana White’s Contender Series this past Tuesday, is already drawing comparisons to the former middleweight champion.
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With only five professional fights under his belt, the 26-year-old Kiwi striker has quickly made a name for himself, thanks in no small part to his rigorous training at City Kickboxing alongside the likes of Adesanya and Dan Hooker.
Adesanya, 35, who has long been celebrated for his striking prowess and dominance in the Octagon, took to his YouTube channel to express his admiration for Stirling.
“Everything he said he wanted to do, he did it spectacularly,” Adesanya said.
The Nigerian-born kiwi fighter who recently returned from a trip to his fatherland, went on to draw comparisons between himself and Stirling, noting their similar physical attributes and shared gym environment.
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However, in a surprising twist, Adesanya seemingly admitted that Stirling might actually surpass him in skill and potential.
“Navajo is his own beast. If you think he’s like me now, I think he’s better than me.
“He’s evolved like the next version because of his grappling intelligence as well, which I have but I just don’t use it, but he actually uses it because he’s young,” Adesanya declared.
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Stirling Navajo impresses ahead of big UFC debut
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Navajo Stirling’s meteoric rise in the UFC spotlight came despite battling a staph infection before his Contender Series bout.
His knockout of Phillip Latu in the second round was nothing short of spectacular, and it wasn’t long before the UFC offered him a contract.
Stirlin revealed that he’s already locked in for his UFC debut in 2024.
Although he remained tight-lipped about his opponent as well as the exact date of his first big bout.
In a candid interview, Stirling expressed his zeal to make a significant impact in the UFC light heavyweight division.
“I get a little upset about some guys who don’t utilize their time in the sport and come in off big layoffs,” he told Submission Radio.
Following a huge endorsement from Israel Adesanya and Stirling’s evident skill, the young fighter is tipped to make waves in the UFC in the coming years.
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