Kiwi light heavyweight Navajo Stirling kept his perfect MMA record intact with a commanding win at UFC 315, defeating Croatian veteran Ivan Erslan by unanimous decision.
The 27-year-old, who now moves to 7–0 in his professional career, exploded in the final round after a competitive opening stretch. A flush right cross sent Erslan reeling into the cage, where Stirling followed with a relentless barrage of unanswered strikes.
The Croatian hit the canvas after a clip to the back of the head, and Stirling continued the assault before the final bell saved Erslan from a potential finish.
“I talked it up aye, so I gotta show up,” Stirling said post-fight. “I turned it back on after things weren’t going my way.”
Stirling admitted he thought the fight was over after landing the decisive shot: “I thought he was already gone. Do I sprawl or keep hitting him?”
Earlier in the fight, Stirling mixed in leg kicks and clinch work but absorbed some stiff jabs from the more experienced Erslan. He showcased solid grappling awareness, reversing multiple cage positions to avoid danger.
Encouraged by his corner to press forward and let his hands go, Stirling timed his final surge perfectly—delivering the most emphatic moment of his young UFC career to date.