Navajo Stirling has kicked off his UFC career with back to back wins. Photo: Fire Fire
Navajo Stirling has warned that a different beast will be entering the cage at UFC Perth.
"You'll see a whole new Navajo this time around. I'm feeling strong, feeling dangerous. I'm ready to knock this dude out."
The Auckland fighter is set for his third trip to the octagon when he fights Brazilian Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-1) on 28 September.
The unbeaten Stirling (7-0) has kicked off his UFC career with back to back decision wins, his last coming in May against Croatian Ivan Erslan.
Meanwhile, Bellato is coming off a controversial no contest against Scotland's Paul Craig after Craig clocked him with an illegal up kick.
Stirling said he is expecting a war.
"He's in a lot of dog fights but I'm excited because you need someone to throw down in there with you and having someone that's got a kill or be killed mentality brings it out of you. I feel like we're going to have the fight of the night. I'm coming for that bonus."
However, he does not believe the Brazilian is on his level.
"His biggest strength is his biggest weakness. He's very aggressive, but that's going to take a toll on his chin and I'm looking to be the one to spin his jaw and see what he is got left in the tank. You hate to do it to someone, but it's either you or them."
Stirling concedes that he was too hesitant across the opening two rounds against Erslan, before pouring it on in the third and almost finding a finish only beaten by the bell.
"It's hard to know how the rounds are going when you're in there getting hit in the face, but I just bit down and threw and I feel like I just need to trust in my ability to do that off the bat. I can just be a bit more aggressive."
Despite not getting the knockout, Stirling was happy to be dragged into deep waters early in his run.
"It adds layers to my game and I just keep showing people that I've got it, even when things aren't going my way."
Stirling said that feeling at home in the UFC has never been an issue.
"Looking at the bright lights, I'm made for that, fans want a gun show, and I'm here to put on bangers. I've always felt like I belonged. I felt like I was a UFC athlete years before I was here, and when it came to me it never really got to me."
He feels that his backstory makes him more endearing to the fanbase, particularly at home.
"I represent your typical Kiwi bloke and I'm someone that people can get behind because I come from nothing. Just from your typical nine to five job in New Zealand and I feel like I can relate to a lot of normal people here in the country."
After making his debut in the crisp climate of Canada, Stirling is expecting plenty of support in Perth.
"I've been sort of a lone soldier away on secret missions by myself, so to have the nation with me and Australia as well, it's cool. I feel at home."
Stirling will share the card with City Kick Boxing teammate and fellow light heavyweight, Carlos 'the Black Jag' Ulberg who has been thrust into the title picture after a eight-fight win streak.
He believes a clash with Ulberg is inevitable down the line.
"It's just one of those ones. We cross that path when it happens, but as of right now, we're in two different stages of our career and my goal is to get to that belt and I'm just going to smash everyone's face to get there and that's anyone that gets in my way."
The 27-year-old is already eying up a third fight in 2025.
"I want to be very active. I'm looking to fight one more time before the year end. When the UFC want me, I want to be there ready to go. I just love fighting so much. I'm young, I'm strong mentally, and I'm ready for the bright lights."
As for who, Stirling does not care, but is keen to end the hype surrounding Turkey's Ibo Aslan, who will be in Perth taking on Kiwi Junior Tafa.
"I'll take anyone they throw my way. I really want to fight Ibo. I think he's dog s***. I think he's trash and I could smash his face in."
Looking toward the top of the division where champion Magomed Ankalaev is set to defend against Alex Pereira in a rematch from March, Stirling is backing the incumbent.
"Ankalaev is going to play it smart. He'll probably do the same game plan he had, if not better. I think he's kind of felt his power now and he knows there's nothing to be afraid of and I think he's going to probably mix grappling him with a striking and retain his belt."
While Stirling sees gold in his future, for now he is content with earning his stripes through violence.
"I'm going make a statement and knock the dude out cold."
