Jan Blachowicz admits disadvantages against the 'new Adesanya' and points the way to victory at UFC Belgrade.

Jan Blachowicz is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Jan Blachowicz relies on his own experience to overcome Navajo Stirling at UFC Belgrade , scheduled for next Saturday (1). The former light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg) faces the New Zealand prospect in the co-main event and, even recognizing the opponent's advantages, maintains confidence in continuing the race for a new title shot at 43 years old.

In an interview with UFC News, Blachowicz highlighted his respect for his rival, emphasizing his youth, strength, and striking skills, as well as his stand-up fighting style. The veteran also pointed out that he has faced athletes with similar characteristics, including Israel Adesanya and Carlo Ulberg, who are members of the same team as Stirling, which could make it easier to read the fight.

“I have a lot of respect for him because he’s a young guy and hungry. I have to be ready. He also prefers to fight standing up, he’s young, strong, a good kickboxer. I’ve fought guys like him before, I fought an athlete from his gym, so I think I’ll understand his style,” said Jan Blachowicz.

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Aware that he may face a faster and physically stronger opponent, the former champion is betting on his experience inside the octagon as his main asset to neutralize these advantages and emerge victorious.

“He’s younger than me, so maybe he’s a little faster, maybe stronger, I don’t know; I need to feel that out in the fight, but for sure the experience is on my side, and I have to use it,” concluded the former champion.

Jan Blachowicz's rival follows in the footsteps of Carlos Ulberg and Israel Adesanya in the UFC

Discovered through the Contender Series, Navajo Stirling boasts an impressive record and a high lethality rate. The New Zealander has six knockout victories and four by judges' decision, in addition to possessing an impressive reach of 2,01 meters. With an aggressive style, the light heavyweight averages 6,24 significant strikes landed per minute and has already defeated five opponents in the UFC octagon, including consecutive knockouts over Bruno Lopes and Ion Cuțelaba, results that accelerated his rise in the division's rankings.

Despite still being at the beginning of his journey in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Stirling knows the path he needs to take to reach the title. The fighter is part of the renowned City Kickboxing academy, the team responsible for producing champions such as Israel Adesanya , Alexander Volkanovski , and Carlos Ulberg , and seeks to follow in the footsteps of the great names who have passed through the New Zealand training center.

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